Overview
- The largest blaze, the Chipmunk Fire, which was first reported on Aug. 21, has scorched about 11,000 acres and is roughly 40% contained.
- A second park blaze called the Vulture Fire has burned about 347 acres and is about 80% contained, and the Florida Forest Service is also battling the 22 Fire in northern Miami-Dade at roughly 880 acres and 40% containment.
- Park officials have closed Shark Valley and other sections of Everglades National Park to protect visitors and allow crews to work safely.
- Federal and state crews from the National Park Service, U.S. Wildland Fire Service and Florida Forest Service are coordinating suppression efforts and monitoring conditions as lightning was confirmed as the ignition source for the park fires.
- The fires come during a month the National Interagency Fire Center rates South Florida's significant fire potential as above normal and follow a year of elevated wildfire starts and acres burned statewide and nationwide.