News Release

Tropical System Could Bring Relief to the Moon Fish Wildfire

News Release Date: May 14, 2020

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

Contact: Everglades: Allyson Gantt, 786-610-8023

Ochopee, FL – An early tropical system could bring help in tamping down the Moon Fish Wildfire. This system should bring some beneficial rain to southern Florida Friday and Saturday. The water levels in Big Cypress National Preserve are quite low due to weeks of dry weather and below average rainfall.

The Moon Fish Wildfire is now 15% contained and total acreage is approximately 25,834.

Fire resources continued to secure the fire line, clearing hammocks with ground and aerial resources and suppressing fire activity along the western perimeter with aerial resources. Other values threatened include local communities, US Highway 41, natural and cultural resources, threatened and endangered species habitat, private and NPS infrastructure.

Due to firefighter activity and public safety, Loop Road is open to local traffic only until further notice. Visitors and travelers have a good chance to see and smell smoke along US Highway 41 depending on the direction of the winds and fuels in which the fire is burning.

Personnel from USFS, USFWS, BLM, BIA, The Miccosukee and Seminole Tribes, Collier County Law Enforcement, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, and Florida Highway Patrol have been assisting Big Cypress and Everglades Fire Aviation and ground crews. The source of the fire was human caused.

Current resources assigned include: 4-Type 3 helicopters; 2-Type 1 helicopter; 3-Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs); 7-type 6 engines; 1-FWAT; 1-Type 2 IA crew.

Any questions/concerns, please contact James Sullivan, Fire Management Officer: [phone] Mike O’Leary, Big Cypress Fire Duty Officer: [phone] or Michael Gue, Everglades Fire Duty Officer: [phone] / [phone].

Updates on Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park websites and social media.