Homestead, Fla. - Firefighters in Everglades National Park are making substantial progress on the Sunday Afternoon Fire that began on April 19 outside the park boundary. A brief rain this morning and west winds have enabled firefighters to work on the western edge of the fire to prevent additional spread. With the current hot, dry conditions, firefighters are aggressively working to suppress the fire and reduce the impact on surrounding communities.
A reconnaissance flight more accurately mapped the fire today at just under 1,300 acres. The fire is 20% contained in the park, up from 10% yesterday, and the state’s portion is 80% contained.
Surrounding communities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties may continue to experience smoke from the wildfire. Drivers should use caution when smoke is on the road. Individuals with respiratory conditions should stay indoors when smoke is present.
The Sunday Afternoon Fire started on April 19 just south and east of the Everglades National Park boundary, north of SW 112 Street and west of the L31 N Canal Road in the Fire Mutual Response Zone (MRZ), an area where the National Park Service shares fire response with the Florida Forest Service. The wildfire then spread into the northeastern part of the Park, approximately 5 miles south of US Highway 41. The fire is actively burning in sawgrass prairie, brush, and invasive Australian pine and melaleuca in Everglades National Park and on state lands.
The majority of the fire activity on April 20 occurred along the north, west and south sides of the fire. Firefighters are using both aerial and ground resources to conduct direct attack and burn out operations to contain and slow the fire’s spread.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Personnel from Big Cypress National Preserve, Alaska Fire Service, Florida Forest Service, South Florida Water Management District, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and aviation resources from the Silver King Fire at Big Cypress National Preserve are assisting.
As a reminder, South Florida is currently experiencing hot, dry conditions typical of this time of year. Everyone can help prevent wildfires by fully extinguishing cigarettes, reporting smoke and fire immediately, and carefully monitoring and fully extinguishing any outdoor fires.
Tags: wildfire wildfire operations fire management
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
