Prescribed fires are an important part of resource management at Big Cypress National Preserve. Implementation of all prescribed fires will be weather and resource dependent and after careful review of the local environmental indices, prescribed fire parameters, and weather forecast, it has been determined the current conditions, are favorable, to safely conduct this prescribed fire.

Fire activity is managed by, the Southwest Florida and Caribbean Fire and Aviation Management Program (SWFLCAR) a cooperative program between Big Cypress National Preserve and the US Fish and Wildlife Service Region 4 and District 6.

Any questions or concerns about the fire please contact Orlando Genao 305-522-2532 Acting Fire Management Officer (AFMO) or the Southwest Florida & Caribbean Interagency Fire and Aviation (SWFLCAR) Duty Officer, available any time, 239-719-0241.

For additional updates and closures, please visit nps.gov/bicy for park alerts or fire updates.

Today, firefighters on the Buzzard Fire will focus on protecting camps within the fire containment lines and on the Flamingo Fire crews will work to prevent the fire from spreading to the north onto private lands.

The Curlew Fire is now burning inside the Everglades National Park. In recent days, firefighters successfully protected two camps. Air monitoring will continue.
Crews also responded to a new wildfire on the neighboring Fakahatchee State Preserve yesterday.

Smoke impacts: Similar to yesterday, smoke impacts to State Road 29, Hwy. 41 and I-75 are possible late this evening and into the early morning hours on Sunday. Smoke can create hazardous driving conditions. Drivers are advised to proceed with extreme caution, driving with lights on and at reduced speeds.

Fire weather: Scattered showers and afternoon storms are expected this afternoon with northeast winds 10-15 mph. The team meteorologist is monitoring for lighting and Initial Attack is prepared to respond to any new starts.

Restrictions and closures: The following closures remain in place in the Big Cypress National Preserve (BICY):
• Stairsteps: All lands in Zone 3. Zone 4 is closed to all public access by airboat
• Paces Dike Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs)
• Roberts Lake Trail south from Loop Road
• Lands east of Turner River Rd., west of BICY’s eastern boundary and north of Hwy. 41
• The Florida National Scenic Trail is closed from the Oasis Visitor Center to I-75 mile marker 63.
• All BICY lands north of I-75 between Hwy. 29 and Bundschu Grade

These areas are closed to all recreational use, including ORVs, hiking, camping and commercial activities due to safety concerns related to wildfires in the area.

Private lands in the designated closure area shall remain open. Residents should use caution and notify the Fire Duty Officer of entry by calling (239) 719-0241.

Additional information: For more information, please call (305) 229-6659 or email BICYFireInfo@gmail.com. You can also stay up to date with the Avian Complex on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5750.

• Pink Jeep, Bear Island and Gator Head Campgrounds
• The road leading into the Sanctuary, except to residents
• All trails between State Rd 29, L-28 Canal and north of I-75,
  including that section of the Florida Trail
• All public lands west of the L-28 Canal, north of Alligator Alley and east of State Road 29

The following adjacent areas will remain open:

• Private lands in the designated closure area shall remain open; residents should use caution.