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Approaching Storm Could Help With Efforts To Contain Moon Fish Fire At Big Cypress

Published Date

May 15, 2020
A tropical storm system was expected to drop rain this weekend on the Moon Fish fire at Big Cypress National Preserve/NPS

A tropical storm system was expected to drop rain this weekend on the Moon Fish fire at Big Cypress National Preserve/NPS

After more than a week of firefighting efforts, the Moon Fish fire at Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida is just 15 percent contained, but an approaching tropical storm system could provide some much-needed help for the firefighters.

The system was expected to drop rain across southern Florida on Friday and Saturday. Big Cypress's vegetation has been particularly dry so far this year because water levels in the preserve are low due to weeks of dry weather and below-average rainfall.

As of Thursday night, the Moon Fish fire was 15 percent contained and covered approximately 25,834 acres, a decrease from earlier figures due to better mapping.

Fire resources continued to secure the fire line, clearing hammocks with ground and aerial resources and suppressing fire activity along the western perimeter with aerial resources. Other values threatened include local communities, U.S. 41 (the Tamiami Trail), natural and cultural resources, threatened and endangered species habitat, private, and National Park Service infrastructure.

Due to firefighter activity and public safety, the preserve's Loop Road is open to local traffic only until further notice. Visitors and travelers have a good chance to see and smell smoke along U.S. 41 depending on the direction of the winds and fuels in which the fire is burning.

The fire started on May 7 from an unspecified truck fire. 

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