News Release

Moon Fish Wildfire 60% Contained and Loop Road Reopens

News Release Date: May 18, 2020

Contact: Big Cypress: Laurie Humphrey, 786-390-2575

5/21/20 update: Moonfish Fire is 80% contained.

Ochopee, FL – With the help of a more than an inch of rain from the tropical system on Friday and Saturday and the hard, dedicated work of our fire crews, the Moon Fish Wildfire is now 60% contained. The size of the wildfire has remained steady at approximately 25,834 acres.

Loop Road was reopened to all traffic late on Sunday night. When driving on Loop Road, please be aware that there are still fire crews and equipment along the road. Let’s help keep them safe by driving the speed limit.

Current fire behavior is low and fuels in the area remain dry, so the potential for fire still exists. Monitoring will continue with ground resources and along the western perimeter with aerial resources.

During the fire, crews implemented protection measures for red cockaded woodpecker cavity trees in the Lostmans Pines area. Other values threatened included local communities, US Highway 41, natural and cultural resources, threatened and endangered species habitat, and private and NPS infrastructure.

Personnel from US Forst Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Indian Affairs are still assisting Big Cypress and Everglades Fire Aviation and ground crews. The source of the fire was human caused.

Current resources assigned include: 3-Type 3 helicopters; 4-type 6 engines; 1-Type 2 Wildland Fire Module.

Any questions/concerns, please contact James Sullivan, Fire Management Officer: [phone]; Mike O’Leary, Big Cypress Fire Duty Officer: [phone]