2 Brush Fires Nearly Under Control In Sarasota County Tuesday

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — Firefighters from fire departments throughout Sarasota County continue to battle two brush fires, which officials say are nearly controlled, Tuesday.

Both brush fires — a 500-acre fire in the 1800 block of Mabry Carlton Parkway in Venice, as well as a 34-acre fire in the Big Slough Preserve in Myakka City — were about 95 percent under control Tuesday morning, Sarasota County’s Emergency Services department (SCES) tweeted.

Officials believe both fires were caused by lightning strikes.

A recreational burn ban was issued Thursday in Sarasota County because of dry weather and an increased change of wildfires.

The Sarasota County Fire Department initially responded to the Venice fire Monday afternoon. They were joined by crews from Venice Fire Rescue, Nokomis Fire Department, Myakka State Park and Florida Forest Service and firefighters were able to contain the fire Monday evening.

Crews remained at the scene overnight to make sure the fire didn’t spread Tuesday. They were able to stop the fire by conducting a burnout in previously burned areas, SCES said.

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There were no reported damages to any structures. Smoke is anticipated in the area Tuesday.