News Release

Gulf Islands National Seashore Responds to Wildfire in Naval Live Oaks Area

NPS/Manis

News Release Date: October 8, 2023 GULF BREEZE, Fla. -- Highway 98 through the Gulf Islands National Seashore’s Naval Live Oaks Area is now open following a closure for the #JacksonFire wildfire response. Drivers should use caution as there is still heavy smoke in the area. The Naval Live Oaks Area north of Highway 98 will be closed until further notice for fire response.

The Naval Live Oaks Area is a day-use area open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The park southside of Highway 98 will reopen tomorrow at 6 a.m.

National Park Service staff responded to a wildfire today, Oct. 8 at 1:00 p.m.  The fire burned through 44 acres all in the Gulf Islands National Seashore. No structures or equipment were damaged. The cause of the wildfire is unknown at this time. 

The first responders on the scene were the Gulf Breeze and Midway Fire Departments, the Florida Forest Service, and the National Park Service.

For more information about the Naval Live Oaks Area or questions please contact Gulf Islands National Seashore at [e-mail]. 

About Gulf Islands National Seashore: Created in 1971, the national seashore stretches 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, historic forts, bayous, and marine habitats. Visit us at www.nps.gov/guis, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 425 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.