News Release

Big Cypress National Preserve Issues Temporary Area Closure for Airplane ABC Prescribed Fire

NPS Maps

News Release Date: March 6, 2024

Contact: Riki Hoopes

OCHOPEE, FL – Big Cypress National Preserve has issued a temporary trail closure to promote visitor safety during prescribed fire activity beginning Monday, March 11th, 2024. Closure includes all areas and trails within the treatment perimeter including Concho Billie Trail North Entrance. Trails on the perimeter of the unit will remain open for use. Please refer to bulleted list and map below for full list of closures. During the closure all recreational use including off-road vehicles, hiking, camping, hunting and commercial activities are prohibited in the designated areas.

Prescribed fire is a carefully planned fire that uses fire science and specific environmental conditions to meet management goals for the preserve. A prescribed fire is one of Big Cypress’s best tools to help create a mosaic of diverse habitats, manage for our endangered species, and reduce the threat of a destructive wildfire.

Please refer to the provided map and area description below, temporary closures include the following areas:

• All areas within the perimeter of the unit
• Concho Billie Trail North Entrance (see map)
• Concho Billie Trail (all areas within treatment unit-see map)
• TRU 62
• TRU 62E
• TRU 61
• TRU 61 W
• TRU 8
• TRU 8W
• TRU 6
• TRU 6W
• TRU 65
• TRU 66
• TRU 68
• TRU 1
• TRU 67
• TRU 70
• TRU 69
• TRU 71
• TRU 2 (all areas within the treatment unit-see map)
• TRU 3
• TRU 72
• TRU 4
• TRU 4S
• TRU 5
• TRU 75
• TRU 86 SW
• TRU 86 NW
• TRU 86
• TRU 69
• A32-77 Bruner J
• A32-75 Hill

The following adjacent areas will remain open:

• Private lands in the designated area; residents should use caution and notify the Fire Duty Officer of entry by calling 561-923-5228.

Fire personnel anticipate 3-5 days of ignition operations and typically determine an area safe for reentry 2-4 days after ignitions are completed. Big Cypress Fire and Aviation will make a determination after ignitions are complete on when to lift the closure. The public will be advised of the implementation and subsequent termination of this closure by web alert, and by the posting of signs in the appropriate areas. If a longer closure is required, due to additional fire activity, an additional press release will be issued immediately.