News Release

Where There's Smoke... There's Fire!

Date: March 3, 2018
Contact: General Park Information, 305-242-7700
Contact: Media Queries, 707-839-1664

HOMESTEAD, Fla. - Weather permitting, Everglades National Park will conduct prescribed burns on March 4-5 in northeast areas of the Park. On March 4, the planned burn area is 35,025 acres, and immediately east of Shark Valley and south of US 41. On March 5, the planned burn area is about 17,316 acres and general location is east of Shark Valley, south of US 41, and north of Chekika.
 

Smoke and/or fire may be visible from US 41 and Shark Valley. The Park is coordinating with Miccosukee Police Department and Florida Highway Patrol. Temporary lane closures of US 41 may occur depending on smoke impacts on the road.
 

Visitors are advised to watch out for wildlife, fire personnel, and vehicles along roadways. Please drive cautiously, reduce your speed and turn on your headlights if you encounter smoke while driving. To ensure safety, people who are not part of the prescribed fire operation should avoid areas of active fire. Some sections of the park or roadways may be temporarily restricted for your safety.
 

Prescribed burns are an important part of resource management at Everglades National Park. These burns will reduce vegetation adjacent to the highway and Shark Valley to protect public and park assets and maintain fire adapted ecosystems.
 

More information on the Park’s fire management program is available at http://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/management/prescribedfire.htm

WHAT:       Everglades National Park to conduct prescribed burns 

WHEN:       Weather permitting, March 4-5, 2018 

WHERE:     Northeast areas of Everglades National Park
 

For more information about what you can see and enjoy at Everglades National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/ever.   

-EVER-

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