A brush fire in Punta Gorda has led to a full shutdown of US-17 at Bryan Way, creating a haze that’s wreaking havoc on visibility. The fire ignited near Washington Loop Road, and as smoke billows onto the highway, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is urging drivers to steer clear of the area.
With safety as the top priority, officials have taken swift action to manage the situation, but the disruption has left many motorists in a bind. A crew from FOX 4 is racing to the scene, adding a layer of urgency to the unfolding story. As the smoke thickens, the stakes rise for everyone trying to navigate these roadways.
Let’s face it—driving through smoke isn’t on anyone’s to-do list, and the only real fire we want to deal with is on the grill this weekend! While we wait for updates, here’s hoping that the flames are doused quickly and traffic can get back to normal, because nobody likes adding “smoke” to their commute!