A brush fire that started May 22 and at one point reached 1,500 acres in the Golden Gate Estates forced the evacuation of the Topaz Assistance Dogs kennel, located on 12th Avenue Southeast.
The Perez family lived in the 4060 block of 14th Avenue Southeast before the brush fire destroyed their home.
They will need to remove drywall and insulation and replace the roof. Jonathan Perez plans to repair the home on his own, with help from his work colleagues.
The Perez family could use help from volunteers willing to assist in rehabbing the home and could also use monetary donations sent through a GoFundMe account, Jonathan Perez said.
United Way of Collier County and the Keys
United Way of Collier and the Keys is collecting donations to help the brush fire victims rebuild their lives and homes.
The 14th Avenue brush fire continued to burn at 900 acres in size and was 75% contained Tuesday, according to the Florida Forest Service.
The brush fire began Saturday near Desoto Boulevard South and 14th Avenue Southeast and reached 1,500 acres. It destroyed two homes and damaged three others in the Estates, while prompting road closures and voluntary evacuations.
Here’s how you can help those who have been impacted by the fire:
Brothers Tyler and Jordan Uzcategui lived in the 3460 block of 14th Avenue Southeast before their home was destroyed in the brush fire.
The brothers will need help rebuilding their home and buying new cars, clothes and everyday items, Tyler Uzcategui said.
“Our drought index has continued to go up for Collier County so we re not out of the woods yet, but we ve got a situation where it s more mop up and extinguish flare-ups ,” Avni said. “With it this dry and this warm, the slightest spark can set another fire off. Let s look out for each other and be extra cautious with anything with a spark.”
When the fire was at its largest, it stretched from near 18th Avenue Southeast northward to 12th Avenue Southeast and from Desoto Boulevard South westward to Tobias Street.
The cause of the brush fire is still unknown, Avni said.