News Release

Containment Increases on Sandy Wildfire

Smokey Pines

Ashlee Girardi

News Release Date: May 8, 2023

Contact: Riki Hoopes, 786-886-9342

OCHOPEE, FL – Suppression efforts are beginning to pay off as containment increases to 5% on the 10,000 acre Sandy Wildfire today. 

Dry conditions and shifting winds over the last several days have created challenging conditions as firefighters work diligently to ensure control lines hold along the northern perimeter of the fire.  Crews worked to improve and maintain the fire edge today, burning out unburned pockets of fuel and mopping up the fire edge. Control lines were scouted and structures and power poles prepped for suppression burn out operations along the south and west perimeter of the fire in coming days.

Tomorrow, crews will continue to scout and prep lines. Firefighters are expecting to use suppression burn out operations along control lines to keep pace with the main fire spread and to keep fire from flanking around them. Air and ground resources will utilize direct and indirect attack methods to slow fire spread.

Smoke impacts along US41 continue to remain a high priority and travelers should use caution when driving in the area.

Please note: Closures remain in effect west of 11 Mile Road, north of US41, east of Monument Trail, and south of Mud Lake, Little Deer, Oasis Trail and Lost Dog, including the Florida Trail from Oasis Visitor Center to I75 (MM 63). This both ensures the safety of the public and allows firefighters to work without impediment.

Phase One of the Sandy Wildfire Evacuation Plan remains in effect. Fire managers continue to monitor fire behavior and residents will be notified by fire managers if the evacuation phase is upgraded.

• Phase One: Residents within evacuation zone are notified of potential fire impacts and advised to create defensible space around home if possible.
• Phase Two: Residents within evacuation zone should be packed and ready to evacuate. Residents with preexisting health conditions will be encouraged to leave at this time.
• Phase Three: Residents will be advised to leave as fire threat is imminent.