Monday Cypress Camp Trail Fire update:
OCHOPEE – Fire behavior on the Cypress Camp Trail Fire in Big Cypress National Preserve continues to decrease due to suppression efforts and high humidity. Due to the decrease in complexity, beginning Tuesday the fire will be managed by a local Type 4 Incident Management Team.
The Cypress Camp Trail Fire, which started on April 4, is now 9,749 acres and 81% contained. Crews will continue to hold and improve the perimeter of the fire over the next several days, or until precipitation ensures the fire is secure.
Closures continue to remain in effect for the fire area including west of Nobles Grade, north of I-75, east of SR-29, and south of the northern Big Cypress National Preserve boundary line.
Visitors may continue to see fire and smoke from the roadways and the risk of smoke continues to remain the biggest concern. Travelers should use caution throughout the impacted area.
Sunday update:
OCHOPEE – Fire behavior on the Cypress Camp Trail Wildfire in Big Cypress National Preserve decreased significantly Sunday with precipitation over the fire area, representatives at Big Cypress National Preserve reported.
Creeping and smoldering continues to be observed in the prairies and pines. Current mapping puts the fire at 9,749 acres and containment has increased to 67%.
Suppression operations continue on the eastern perimeter of the fire where access has proven to be difficult.
Cypress Camp Trail Fire Information Officer Riki Hoopes said fire crews are actively constructing and scouting control line options and developing tactics for containment on the southeast corner of the fire. \
Similar operations will continue tomorrow as ground and aviation resources assess possible access as well direct and indirect attack opportunities that will best meet full suppression objectives. Crews will also continue to hold and improve containment lines on the north, west, and south side of the fire.
Closures continue to remain in effect for the fire area including west of Nobles Grade, north of I-75, east of SR-29, and south of the northern Big Cypress National Preserve boundary line.
Despite the precipitation over the fire today, visitors may continue to see fire and smoke from the roadways and the risk of smoke continues to remain the biggest concern. Travelers should use caution throughout the impacted area.
Previous coverage:
Fire crews made significant progress Saturday on the 9,722-acre Cypress Camp Trail Fire with containment at 40 percent, up 30 percent from Friday.
Resources from the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Florida Forest Service continue to provide assistance in the suppression efforts on the Cypress Camp Trail Fire.
On Saturday, crews worked on the northeastern perimeter of the fire, using control and suppression burn out operations to bring fire to an area with swampy fuels, which can be used as a natural holding feature.
Aviation resources conducted additional ignition operations to tie the western edge of the fire into I-75 and clean up pockets of unburned fuel along the southern perimeter, adjacent to I-75.
Suppression operations will continue tomorrow with crews holding and improving current control lines, and utilizing direct and indirect attack tactics to continue to increase containment.
The Big Cypress National Preserve said the Cypress Trail Wildfire was burning in a mixture of grass, brush and pine.
Smoke impacts have been limited, however with the close proximity to major highways the most significant risk to the public is smoke on roadways. Travelers should use caution throughout the impacted area.
The source of the fire also remains under investigation.
South Florida Fire and Aviation resources are on scene, and additional resources have been ordered.
Preserve officials issued a temporary trail closure to promote safety during the current wildfire activity effective Wednesday. During the closure all recreational use including off-road vehicles, hiking, camping, hunting and commercial activities are prohibited in the designated areas.
Closures remain in effect for all areas west of Nobles Grade, north of I-75, east of SR-29, and south of the northern Big Cypress National Preserve boundary line.
Temporary closures include the following campgrounds:
- Bear Island Campground
- Pink Jeep Campground
- Gator Head Campground
- Trail Closures Include:
- Florida Trail North of MM63 I75 to Seminole Boundary
- All ORV Trails in Bear Island Unit
The following adjacent areas will remain open: Private lands in the designated area; residents should use caution and notify the Fire Duty Officer of entry by calling 561-923-5228.
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