Brush fire burns 8 acres near Rotonda West

ROTONDA WEST — Charlotte County firefighters fought a fast-moving brush fire Sunday night near Rotonda West and Gasparilla Road in West County.

The fire was off Brig Circle and charred about eight acres, according to Todd Dunn, spokesperson for Charlotte County Fire & EMS.

The fire started at around 6 p.m., a few yards near the Cape Haze Pioneer Trail at the Brig Circle trail entrance, and in part of the Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park.

Dunn said the fire was apparently caused by a lightning strike. A line of thunderstorms moved through the area at around 5:30 p.m.

Several Charlotte County fire crews responded, including a Brush 3 and Brush 8, along with other units, a truck from the Englewood Area Fire Control District and two bull dozers from the Florida Division of Forestry.

The firefighters were able to contain the fire. No homes were damaged and no injuries reported.

Firefighters monitored the area Monday for potential flareups, Dunn said.