Big Cypress National Preserve wildfire grows to 3,019 acres, recreational areas closed
Big Cypress National Preserve wildfire grows to 3,019 acres, recreational areas closed
11 March 2018
Published by https://www.naplesnews.com/
USA – Saturday’s rains did little to stop the Big Cypress National Preserve brush fire, which has grown to 3,019 acres, closing trails and campgrounds, the National Park Service reported Sunday.
The fire, north of Interstate 75 and east of S.R. 29, which continues to spread northeast, is 10 percent contained. The unpopulated area is difficult to access, accounting for the low containment, said park ranger Laurie Humphery
Interstate 75 is not threatened by the fire Sunday, although the Florida Highway Patrol controls roadway closures based on low visibility from smoke.
The closures include the following areas: Pink Jeep, Gator Head and Bear Island Campgrounds. The closure also includes the following roads and trails: Bear Island Grade Trail, Perocchi Grade Trail and Bear Island Campground Road.
All recreational use including hiking, hunting, and camping will be prohibited in the designated areas. Fire crews are aggressively fighting the wildfire from the air using helicopters and single-engine air tankers.
The fire, named the Anhinga Fire, is burning in palmetto, pineland and cabbage palm habitat and is expected to grow due to wind direction and low relative humidity, the park service said.
