Big Cypress National Preserve

The nearly two-week long Sandy Fire in the Big Cypress National Preserve in Collier County burned closer to U.S. 41 Friday prompting the Florida Highway patrol to issue a closure order.Containment on the wildfire has increased as crews tied control lines into U.S. 41 on the east flank of the fire. The fire grew several thousand acres from Wednesday into Thursday and was at 15,130 acres and 30% contained.

As disruptive as a wildfire can be, a forest fire is not only important to the ecosystem in which it burns, but is integral to slowing climate change.

The Sandy Fire in the southeastern portion of the Big Cypress National Preserve has grown over 11,000 acres and fire officials have activated a second phase of evacuation plans for those living within the affected area.The wildfire began May 1 as a 50-acre blaze in an area of the preserve between I-75 to then north and U.S. 41 to the south.

Firefighters worked through the night Tuesday on the 10,551-acre wildfire growing in the Big Cypress National Preserve east of Naples, a tactic that appears to be working as control of the Sandy Wildfire rose from 5% to 15%.

The Sandy Fire broke out Monday at 50 acres in the far eastern part of Collier County. By Sunday morning the fire had spread to 8,398 acres and containment remained at 0%.

The Sandy Fire was discovered on May 1, east of the Oasis Trail. Dry woods, low relative humidity, and several structures have made progress difficult

Active fire behavior was observed Thursday on the wildfire, called the Sandy Fire, as the original 50-acre-under-flame area expanded.Phase one of the Sandy Wildfire Evacuation Plan has been initiated and residents within the areas of concern have been notified of potential fire impacts in the coming days.

A wildfire that has grown to nearly 700 acres on the Big Cypress National Preserve has fire crews focusing on saving threatened multiple private structures.

The Sandy Wildfire is currently estimated to be about 50 acres, burning in a mixture of grass, brush and pine. South Florida Fire & Aviation resources are on scene, and additional resources have been ordered.

The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center reported Thursday that 55% of Florida is in the severe to extreme drought category, with most of the rest of the state listed as “abnormally dry.” The driest conditions are in southwest Florida, the same region hammered by Hurricane Ian in September.