While firefighters were able to keep the flames from damaging any homes in Indian Lake Estates, the community’s maintenance sheds and barns were destroyed in the 700-acre brush fire.

“It doesn’t look like much, but if you were here and saw what was in here—this place was full of stuff,” Ronnie Moree, who sits on the Indian Lake Estates Board of Directors, said. “We just paid $15,000 for a brand new mower that was delivered on Friday and it’s gone.”

The community also lost almost two decades of maintenance records stored in an office on site.

Moree said within the last four years, the community built everything from the ground up. They set a budget and purchased equipment like tractors and lawn mowers to maintain the community and fix roads.

He estimates the structures and all the equipment inside value at least $1 million.

“If you look at the overall picture, to this community who went from 2013 to not having anything to building back a little bit, they’re stuck back now major,” Moree said. “Some of these roads that we mow, you’re gonna see grass sitting up high. We just can’t go out and buy all this stuff back.”

Workers were able to save a few things before the flames got too bad, like one of the community’s tractors.

The Board of Directors meets Monday to discuss accessing its emergency fund. They estimate it will take a few years to build everything back up and replace some of the equipment.

Fire officials say the fire, which started Friday evening, is suspicious.

The fire which is now being named the Red Grange Fire is currently 75 percent contained. 

Here are some facts on the current situation surrounding the fire: 

  • Wildfire is 75% contained
  • Fire affects approximately 700 acres
  • Evacuation order lifted at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 22
  • Polk County Fire Rescue was dispatched at 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 21, to a large outside fire
  • Several structures were destroyed, but none of them are residential homes
  • There are 800 residential homes and 8,000 lots in Indian Lake Estates
  • Hundreds of firefighters were called out to work the fire
  • Close to 100 firefighting vehicles were called out
  • Mutual aid received from most Polk municipalities and nearby counties
  • The cause of the fire is under investigation
  • Anyone who knows how the fire started should call 1-800-342-5869
  • Friday night, 9 people (8 adults, 1 child) used the shelter the Red Cross set up at the 1st Presbyterian Church Lake Wales, located at 309 E. Central Avenue, Lake Wales FL, 33853
  • No road were closed due to the fire
  • Polk County Fire Rescue and Florida Forest Service will stay on scene as long as there’s a need