Deep Fire
BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL PRESERVE, FL
Wildland Fire

Started on or about
04/22/2009

Status as of
04/29/2009

Cause
Natural

Location
Bear Island and Deep Lake Units of Big Cypress National Preserve, with fire both north and south of I-75, east of State Road 29 within Collier County (FL)

Acreage Burned
As of 8:00 PM Tuesday, April 26, 2009, approximately 27,000 acres have burned.

Percent Contained
60%

Resources Committed
Five helicopters and nine engines are currently working on the fire.

Estimated Containment Date
Monday, April 27, 2009

Park Status
The Bear Island Unit of the Preserve continues to be closed for all recreational access; in addition, on Saturday, April 25, the northern area of the Deep Lake Unit was closed as well. The closure now includes all areas north of, and including the Fire Prairie Trail.

Updates on Fire

The fire is in good shape with few areas of major concern, based on predicted weather.  However firefighters must continue to make the perimeter secure and work toward control of this fire.  Yesterday’s activities concentrated on the southeast section of the fire where smoke columns were visible.  All these were well inside the containment lines.

Weather forecast calls for persistent east-southeast winds with predicted high temperature around 90 degrees. Crews will continue work Wednesday to secure all fire lines and mop up the interior. A burnout will be conducted on the north end of the fire to secure line south of Bear Island Grade.

Overview
The fire was discovered by Big Cypress fire staff at noon on Wednesday, April 22, 2009. Assistance was requested from neighboring units and firefighters began working to put out areas of the fire near I-75. Due to smoke on the road, the Interstate was closed Wednesday evening and remained closed through Thursday, April 23. On Thursday, NPS and cooperating resources continued working to burn out areas of the fire near the Interstate. No homes, backcountry camps or other structures are at risk due to the fire.

Last 24-hour Activity
Firefighters worked to hold the burnouts that were conducted Monday and continued to mop up the hot spots near the containment lines.

Vegetation Affected
Prairie grass and pine

Air / Smoke Issues
Due to fire activity around mile marker 76 I-75 will remain closed until at least mid-afternoon on Monday, April 27. Conditions will be monitored by fire officials and Florida Highway Patrol to open the highway as soon as it is safe for the public. As protocol, I-75 will again close at 7:00 pm. The closures during fire activity are due to heavy smoke and fire personnel working along the Interstate.

Values to be Protected
All areas in the Bear Island Unit, and all areas north of Fire Prairie Trail, including the trail itself, in the Deep Lake Unit are closed. I-75 and SH 29 southof I-75 to US 41 will open at 8:00 AM Wednesday with a reduced speed limit. Both these highways will remain open unless smoke conditions force closure again, however all motorists are encouraged to exercise caution when driving through these areas. SH 29 will remain closed north of I-75 to Oil Well Road.

Partners Involved
Agencies include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Florida State Division of Forestry and Division of Environmental Protection, the Miccosukee and Seminole Tribes, Florida Highway Patrol, Collier County Sheriffs Office and Emergency Operations Center, Ochopee and Port of the Islands Fire Districts and the American Red Cross.

Additional Information
Visit the Incident Website

Contact Information
Michelle Finch
Phone Number: (580) 236-1021
michelle.finch@oda.state.ok.us