Evacuations ordered as wildfire burns 1,500 acres near Naples

Evacuation orders have been issued for parts of southwest Florida as a large brush fire burns near Naples, officials say.

The blaze, dubbed the Newman Drive Fire, is spreading through Picayune Strand State Forest in Collier County, south of Interstate 75.

As of Tuesday morning, the fire has scorched 1,500 acres and is 15 percent contained, according to the Florida Forest Service.

Winds have been pushing smoke towards Naples and surrounding communities. I-75 remains open, but the Florida Highway Patrol is keeping an eye on the situation and is ready to act if conditions become a threat to driver safety.