HENDRY COUNTY — At approximately 8 p.m. on May 13 Hendry County Sheriff’s Office began to receive calls from the public reporting fires in the community of Banyan Village. It was suspected that due to severe weather in the area accompanied with lighting, caused these fires. LaBelle Fire Department, Clewiston Fire Department, Pioneer Fire Department, Montura Fire Department along with the Forestry Division and Lee County Strike Team were responding. It was estimated there were approximately nine fires within the community of Banyan Village. Those fires have been contained.

At approximately 8:31 p.m., two additional fires were reported in the community of Pioneer Plantation approximately 12 miles east of LaBelle.

The Pioneer Plantation fire appears to be more dangerous and has caused residents in the area of Tampa Street/21st Street to Yeehaw Avenue to be evacuated.

At the time of this release there has been no reported damage to homes or outbuildings in the area. An evacuation staging area is at the Pioneer Fire Department. It has been reported approximately 12 residents have been evacuated from their homes at this time.