2008 Fire Activity and Related Closures

12/23/2008
The Big Cypress National Preserve fire crew will be conducting a prescribed fire at the northern end of the Turner River Road, south of Interstate 75 and east of the Turner River Road.

5/2/2008
Fire activity over the next few days will concentrate around the Concho Billie Trail area, east of Turner River Road and north of the Tamiami Trail. No closures from fire activity are anticipated.

4/28/2008
The Big Cypress National Preserve Fire and Aviation Division will continue prescribed fire treatments north and west of the Skillet Strand area (north of U.S. 41). They will also continue to monitor our prescribed fire activity along I-75.

4/17/2008
As the drying weather continues, the Fire and Aviation Division will continue conducting prescribed fire operations. Over the next 4-5 days, including this weekend, we anticipate burning several large areas in the Turner River and Corn Dance Units, North of the Oasis Visitor Center, along the Monument Trail, west of Raccoon Point, and a few other select pine/palmetto blocks that have not been treated for 8-10 years. These will be done via aerial ignition.

We also hope to prep a few other areas around camps in the Concho Billy area and along Hwy 41, to include the Monument facilities and residences, campgrounds, and power poles along the north side of Hwy 41 from Burns Lake to Oasis. This is in anticipation of reintroducing fire into the prairie ecosystem.

Our first project will take place on Thursday. Trail users and visitors need to be aware that if they are venturing into the backcountry over the next week that fire will be on the landscape. Signs are posted but visitors are encouraged to check with the Oasis Visitor Center for details on exact areas where fire activity may be taking place. We are hoping to accomplish an additional 10-15,000 acres in the next 2 weeks with further work to continue into the summer months.

2/29/2008
The Big Cypress Fire and Aviation Management staff will be conducting a 2500 acre aerial ignition north of Oasis and Monument areas. No facilities are anticipated to be closed due to these burn activities. Please follow direction of fire personnel if in the backcountry. Fire activity is anticipated to take place over the next two to three days.

2/26/2008
If current weather conditions continue the Big Cypress National Preserve Fire Division will be burning in areas north of the Oasis Visitor Center and Monument Lake Campground facilities and near the Buckskin and Oasis Trails. No facilities are anticipated to be closed due to these burn activities. Please follow direction of fire personnel if in the backcountry. Fire activity is anticipated to take place over the next two to three days.

2/21/2008
If current weather conditions prevail the Big Cypress National Preserve Fire Division will be burning in areas east of Turner River Road in the north Airplane Prairie region; north of Sandy Road in the Monument Trail area and possibly in an area west of Oasis Trail. This burn may affect access on the Florida Trail north of the Oasis Visitor Center. Fire activity is anticipated to take place over the next two to three days.