Fire Attacking Muse Area Homes

Fire Departments From LaBelle, Glades, Montura, And Pioneer At Fire Scene

LABELLE, FL. -- Multi-agency Fire Departments are fighting brush fires at Sunset Trail and Summerall Road in Muse, northwest of LaBelle in Glades county.

Fires were threatening 20 manufactured home in the area and some backyard sheds were reported as being caught in the spreading fires. The fires reportedly began on Joe Flint's property in the Muse area and spread to nearby streets moving northward with the winds.

(photo by Melissa Yunas/DOF)

Two homes , one being vacant, five pole barns, and ten vehicles were caught in the fire so far covering 220 acres. Units from as far as Montura and Pioneer were dispatched to the scene. The Department of Forestry had equipment and a plane on scene awaiting more units from Hendry county and a DOF helicopter.

Update 6:00 A.M. April 28: The Division of Forestry previously reported 4 homes were lost, that was an oversight they say as five pole barns were on fire and were believed to be homes. Twenty-five homes were saved after residents were evacuated to the Muse Community Center.

The FL Division of Forestry has established a dozer fireline all the way around both fires in Glades county. There are pockets of unburned vegetation that are difficult to gain access to. Residents will continue to see smoldering and smoke for awhile until either the fire burns up to the firelines or a significant rainfall event occurs.