Big Cypress National Preserve

A state plan to house as many as 1,000 immigrants with criminal records in a remote Everglades area "fenced-in" by alligators and pythons brings protestors to abandoned former jetport area off U.S. 41. The area, inside Big Cypress National Preserve, retains special and sacred meaning to Native Americans and conservationists.

Wildland firefighters in the Big Cypress National Preserve are planning to light the first of three prescribed fires on June 9 to clear out dead underbrush. The so-called Mullet fire is being lit less than a week after decent rains fell on Florida for the first time in five months, and Southwest Florida and the Everglades are still gripped by drought.

Enough rain fell during the end of May and beginning of June across the southern portion of the Florida peninsula to significantly lower the drought conditions — except for Southwest Florida including the Everglades, which remain in "extreme drought" according to the U.S. Drought Monitor

A temporary trail closure in the Big Cypress National Preserve is in effect after the discovery Saturday of a more than 340-acre fire east of State Road 29 and north of Deep Lake.The temporary closures include the Deep Lake Trail (including Trail Head) and the Fire Prairie Trail. During the closure all recreational use including off-road vehicles, hiking, camping, hunting and commercial activities are prohibited in the designated areas.

Federal layoffs at Everglades National Park hit 12 employees; other local Florida parks have fewer affected employees.

One person was laid off at Big Cypress National Park and “several” are now without jobs at Bay Pines VA Hospital as federal downsizing under the Trump Administration begins to affect Southwest Florida.The person out of a job at Big Cypress was on a probationary period and was laid off on Tuesday, Feb. 18, said Michelle Hanson, lands and permits coordinator at the park.

Big Cypress National Preserve has re-issued a temporary closure to promote visitor safety during prescribed fire activity beginning Tuesday. Closure incudes all areas and trails within the treatment perimeter, however, due to changes in weather and environmental conditions, the previously planned Boundary Prescribed Fire Phase 1 treatment perimeter has been amended.

Big Cypress National Preserve has issued a temporary closure to promote visitor safety during prescribed fire activity beginning Tuesday, Jan. 14. Closure incudes all areas and trails within the treatment perimeter, trails on the perimeter of the unit will remain open for use. During the closure all recreational use including off-road vehicles, hiking, camping, hunting and commercial activities are prohibited in the designated areas. Unlike the closure in the area last week, during this closure all parts of the Florida National Scenic Trail will remain open.Prescribed fire is a carefully planned fire that uses fire science and specific environmental conditions to meet management goals for the preserve. A prescribed fire is one of Big Cypress’s best tools to help create a mosaic of diverse habitats, manage for our endangered species, and reduce the threat of a destructive wildfire.