Fire Activity and Related Closures

Fire and Aviation Management Division at Big Cypress is one of the largest in the National Park System. It follows a comprehensive fire plan that allows the restoration of fire regimes through a full range of management tools. Natural fire, prescribed fire, hazard fuel reduction, and fire effects monitoring help restore natural processes, while providing for firefighter and public safety.

 

For more information about fire's role within the Preserve click here.

Some files on this page are created using Google Earth. You may want to download the Google Earth program to view these files.

References to non-U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) products do not constitute endorsement by the DOI. By viewing the Google Maps on this page the user agrees to these terms set forth by Google.

---

To view fires and related closures for previous years, please use the links to the left.

May 7-18, 2012 -
Fire Management will be conducting a number of prescribed fires in several locations of the Racoon Point area, located within the Preserve. When fire activity is taking place information will be posted at trail head kiosks closest to the activity. There are no closures anticipated due to this activity and fires will only be conducted if conditions are favorable.
Click here for a pdf map.

February 13 through March 2, 2012 -
Over the next three weeks the Fire Division will be conducting a number of prescribed fires in various areas of the Preserve. When fire activity is taking place information will be posted at trail head kiosks closest to the activity. There are no closures anticipated due to this activity and fires will only be conducted if conditions are favorable.
Click here to view a Google Earth map of proposed fire activity (white polygon areas.)

January 5-21, 2012 -
Over the next several weeks NPS prescribed fire crews will be conducting prescribed fire operations in the vicinity of the Airplane Prairie in the Turner River Unit and within areas of the Bear Island Unit.
Click here to see map details.

Fire crews will begin the activity by securing all structures and facilities within the identified operation parameters. This prescribed fire activity is to be contained within 17,000 acres (approximately 4,000 acres in the Bear Island Unit and 13,000 acres in the Turner River Unit).

As of 1/4/2012 there are no associated closures or anticipated effects on nearby communities or roadways related to this activity. However, people entering the backcountry of the Preserve should be mindful of operations during their travels.