Wildfire Zones: Cape Coral vs Fort Myers
How do wildfire zones rules compare between Cape Coral, FL and Fort Myers, FL?
Cape Coral and Fort Myers have similar restriction levels.
Cape Coral, FL
Lee County
Lee County has no adopted wildfire-hazard overlay zone that imposes special building or vegetation rules on homeowners. Wildfire risk in the wildland-urban interface (Lehigh Acres, coastal pine flatwoods) is managed through Florida Forest Service programs and drought-triggered countywide burn bans.
View full Cape Coral rules →Fort Myers, FL
Lee County
The City of Fort Myers sits on the Caloosahatchee River in southwestern Florida. Its developed core is not within a state-designated Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) high-risk zone, but Lee County contains substantial WUI parcels in unincorporated pine flatwoods and palmetto-dominated areas east, north, and south of the city. The Florida Forest Service Caloosahatchee Forestry Center monitors fire weather and the Keetch-Byram Drought Index for Lee County and is the AHJ for non-recreational pile burns. The 2006 Caloosahatchee Fire Complex (fueled by 2004 Hurricane Charley debris) burned over 2,000 acres in Lee County and destroyed 15 homes. Lee County selected SWCA Environmental Consultants in 2024 to develop the county's first Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).
View full Fort Myers rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Cape Coral | Fort Myers |
|---|---|---|
| Mapped hazard zone | None adopted | - |
| High-risk areas | Lehigh Acres, pine flatwoods | - |
| Risk tool | Firewise / prescribed burns | - |
| Enforceable limit | Drought burn ban | - |
| Ban index | KBDI 600+ | - |
| WUI Status (city core) | - | Not in FFS high-risk WUI zone |
| WUI Status (county) | - | Substantial WUI in unincorporated Lee Co. |
| Florida Forest Service District | - | Caloosahatchee Forestry Center |
| Major Historical Fire | - | 2006 Caloosahatchee Complex (15 homes) |
| CWPP | - | Lee Co. CWPP in development (SWCA 2024-) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Cape Coral FAQ
Is my Lee County home in a designated wildfire zone?
Lee County has not adopted mapped wildfire-hazard zones with special rules. Risk is managed through voluntary Firewise practices and countywide burn bans during drought.
What triggers a wildfire burn ban here?
The county enacts a burn ban when the Keetch-Byram Drought Index hits 600 or more, coordinating with the Florida Forest Service and Fire Chiefs' Association.
Fort Myers FAQ
Is Fort Myers in a wildfire risk zone?
The developed core of the City of Fort Myers along the Caloosahatchee River is not within a Florida Forest Service high-risk Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zone. However, unincorporated Lee County contains substantial WUI parcels of pine flatwoods and saw palmetto east, north, and south of the city. Lee County is developing its first Community Wildfire Protection Plan with SWCA Environmental Consultants.
What was the Caloosahatchee Fire Complex?
The 2006 Caloosahatchee Fire Complex was a major Lee County wildfire fueled by downed timber and woody debris from 2004 Hurricane Charley. It burned more than 2,000 acres, destroyed 15 homes, and caused more than $2 million in fire-protection costs and property damage. The Florida Forest Service Caloosahatchee Forestry Center coordinates wildfire response for Lee County.
Does Fort Myers have a defensible-space or WUI code?
No. The City of Fort Myers has not adopted the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC). Within city limits, wildfire-related controls operate through the 12-inch vegetation/lot-maintenance limit, the Florida Fire Prevention Code (recreational fire and open-burning provisions under Chapter 40), and Lee County's emergency burn-ban authority under Ordinance 18-09.
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