Prescribed Fire in Big Cypress

Southwest Florida & Caribbean Interagency Fire and Aviation moved forward with a prescribed fire on February 21, 2019, conducting a prescribed fire in the Sanctuary Unit in Big Cypress National Preserve; California Slough Rx. The approximate size of the burn will be 2,000 acres. This prescribed fire is located in the northeast corner of the preserve, approximately two miles north of I-75 on the L-28 Canal.

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.

For any questions regarding the fire, contact Orlando Genao, Acting Fire Management Officer (AFMO)at 305-522-2532 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.