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Active fire in Big Cypress grows to 2,600-acres; 75 percent contained
By WGCU Staff
February 12, 2026 at 11:24 AM EST
An active brushfire burning since the weekend has grown to 2,600 acres in the Big Cypress National Preserve in Hendry County is 75 percent contained as of Thursday morning.
The fire — labeled the West Boundary Road 26 fire — was reported around 5 p.m. Sunday at 400 acres but quickly tripled in size several hours later.
The fire was also burning on a segment of Miccosukee off-reservation trust land, a spokesman for the Florida Forest Service — Caloosahatchee Forestry Center said.
The Caloosahatchee center was fighting the fire along with units from the Big Cypress. Dozers, a helicopter and firefighters were on the scene, the spokesman from the Caloosahatchee Center said.
Several smaller fires were reported since Sunday in Hendry Count, two near Montura Ranch, but have since been contained. Wildfires have also been reported in DeSoto, Hardee, Sarasota, Highlands and Okeechobee counties over the past week.
Dry conditions since last spring have created current conditions conducive to wildfires.
MORE: Awaiting a spark: Firefighters fear Southwest Florida is ready to burn
WGCU is your trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida. We are a nonprofit public service, and your support is more critical than ever. Keep public media strong and donate now. Thank you.
The fire — labeled the West Boundary Road 26 fire — was reported around 5 p.m. Sunday at 400 acres but quickly tripled in size several hours later.
The fire was also burning on a segment of Miccosukee off-reservation trust land, a spokesman for the Florida Forest Service — Caloosahatchee Forestry Center said.
The Caloosahatchee center was fighting the fire along with units from the Big Cypress. Dozers, a helicopter and firefighters were on the scene, the spokesman from the Caloosahatchee Center said.
Several smaller fires were reported since Sunday in Hendry Count, two near Montura Ranch, but have since been contained. Wildfires have also been reported in DeSoto, Hardee, Sarasota, Highlands and Okeechobee counties over the past week.
Dry conditions since last spring have created current conditions conducive to wildfires.
MORE: Awaiting a spark: Firefighters fear Southwest Florida is ready to burn
WGCU is your trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida. We are a nonprofit public service, and your support is more critical than ever. Keep public media strong and donate now. Thank you.