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. ]]> http://jeepoffroadadventures.com/wp/?feed=rss2&p=4384 0 http://jeepoffroadadventures.com/wp/?p=3044 http://jeepoffroadadventures.com/wp/?p=3044#comments Tue, 25 Apr 2017 15:10:10 +0000 http://jeepoffroadadventures.com/wp/?p=3044 Fire is now 75% contained & not expected to grow. Given continued drought conditions & remaining fuel, the preserve will continue to be at risk for wild fires this season. As such the likelihood of some closures to remain even after fires are out is possible Updated Restrictions & Closures as of April 25th:

The following closures remain in place in Big Cypress National Preserve:

• 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.

Visit the Big Cypress Preserve Information Page for more including trail access and permitting process.

Photo from Florida State Park web page

Members of the club has been camping this park for years and would make for a great introduction to this beautiful natural getaway.

Per GFJTT:
For the past couple of years, many of us (GFJTT, TCJC, JJC members) have camped out here for the weekend of GO TOPLESS Day. Sites have FULL HOOKUPS (electric, water) and are nice and open. We relax, eat, drink, talk, sit aroung a campfire and then many caravan down to our respective Go Topless events. Last year the GoTopless picnics were combined, this year, as far as I can see, nothing definitive has been posted as of today 2/15.. Regardless, Come join us for some fun & relaxation! The “core” sites are 28 through 30, but there are multiple sites open in the park for that weekend at this time, many close to that area. Best way of registering for a site is through the state website… https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Jonathan-Dickinson Hope to see you all there! Tents, Pop-ups, Travel Trailers, 5th Wheels, RV’s!

If interested, join them on facebook to get details and coordinate.

Organized by:


Greater Florida Jeep Trail Team

XJ attempts to clear US-Mexicon Fence at Imperial Dunes CA. Image released by the US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP)

1. Know your vehicles capabilities. In this case the breakover angle, a measure typically in degrees that describes the maximum angle from horizontal at front & back wheels for the rise & fall of the ground where the body or frame will still not touch the ground (AKA center over high, or high center).

For the stock XJ pictured breakover is 21.7 degrees (less if heavily loaded). For the ramp to achieve that shallow an angle, it would have to be made a lot longer. The better approach would be to lift the hell out of the Cherokee (With Jeeps, always the right answer… right?)

2. Never-Ever-Freaking-Ever Wheel Alone . Alone? Got stuck? Congratz! N’uff said.

Shown in this diagram is the breakover angle of, as well as approach and departure angles.

We all know Jeep makes some of the most capable vehicles in the world but be smart and know the capabilities before putting them to the challenge and avoid the stuck or even worst (gasp! breakage)

Just one more obstacle lending unquestionable rational for a lift, bigger tires, winch and a buddy on the trail with the same.

As reported from Business Insider

Just wanted to thank Natsko Nakahara for bringing the Black Dragon down to Flossie’s last night for the Sugar Shaker’s Meetup. Awesome jeep, clean or dirty!

For photos of past SFJC 4th of July Parades check out the Motive Photo Album

Check out photos from the ride.