Wildfire Burns 35K Acres in Florida

Dubbed the National Fire, the blaze was first reported on February 22 and grew explosively from 5,000 to over 30,000 acres in just a few days. A smaller fire, the Grand Fire, was also reported north of Interstate-75 but its spread was limited to under 5 acres. Extreme environmental conditions are fueling the fire's rapid spread. A combination of a Stage 3 drought, limited rainfall, and a recent frost that killed vegetation created an abundance of dry fuel. A La Niña weather pattern has also contributed to the elevated fire weather conditions. A Southern Area Incident Management Team is now managing the fire, with 197 personnel assigned. The response includes 15 engines, 4 helicopters, and 3 air tankers. As of February 28, the cost to combat the wildfire had reached $1.2 million. Smoke from the blaze has created hazardous travel conditions, prompting temporary closures of major roads, including Interstate 75 (Alligator Alley) and State Road 29. The National Weather Service warned of potential "super fog," a dangerous mix of smoke and moisture that can reduce visibility to near zero. A voluntary evacuation for the community of Jerome was implemented while crews conducted strategic firing operations to strengthen containment lines, but it has since been lifted. Several campgrounds in the preserve remain closed, including Bear Island, Pink Jeep, and Gator Head. A temporary flight restriction is also in effect over the fire area. While destructive, fire is a natural and essential force that has shaped the Big Cypress landscape for millennia. The preserve's ecosystems, which include prairies, pinelands, and cypress swamps, are fire-dependent, relying on periodic burns to clear undergrowth and recycle nutrients. Big Cypress has one of the most active prescribed burn programs in the National Park Service, typically treating over 60,000 acres annually. These controlled burns are intended to reduce the heavy fuel loads that can lead to catastrophic wildfires.