Sabal Palm residents east of Naples warned as 3,000-acre Greenway Fire nears

Fire officials were warning Sabal Palm residents to be on the lookout as the Greenway Fire, which had grown to 3,000 acres, was approaching the area in Collier County. 

Kingman Schuldt, the Greater Naples Fire Chief, said the fire was less than 25 percent contained. 

The Greenway Fire covered just 125 acres Thursday but grew to 2,300 acres by Friday evening. 

The winds changed Saturday, pushing the flames northeast, Schuldt said. The fire was north of 6 L's Farm and east of the Winding Cypress community, which is east of Collier Boulevard and north of U.S. 41. 

Schuldt warned of significant smoke and ash in the East Naples area. 

Firetrucks were going to be moving into the Sabal Palm area to alert residents to monitor the fire. 

There were no evacuation orders in Collier County as of late Saturday afternoon. 

More: Marco Island covered by smoke from Collier brush fires, authorities say

More:Fire crews continue to battle wildfires in Collier, Hendry

More:Wildfire crews decrease threat to homes from Picayune Strand blaze

Picayune Strand fire

The Flag Pond Fire in the Picayune Strand State Forest, south of Alligator Alley, had scorched 2,900 acres as of Saturday afternoon. 

On Thursday evening, the fire prompted voluntary evacuations of residents from homes along Lee Williams Road — where a fire that destroyed several homes last year started — and Snake Road. 

But by Saturday morning, the fire had moved into areas that could be accessed only by tractors, said Nolan Sapp, assistant fire chief for Greater Naples.

All structures that were in danger had been secured, he said.