U.S. Wildland Fire Service Continues Suppression of Highway 41 Fire in Everglades National Park

Contact: Fire information, 786-886-9342

Contact: Media contact, 786-610-8023

Contact: Park information, 305-242-7700

Homestead, Fla. - The Highway 41 Fire continues to burn and is now approximately 8,500 acres in size with 20% containment. The fire, which started on April 27, is located in the northeastern corner of Everglades National Park, south of U.S. Highway 41 and east of Shark Valley and the airboat concessions. The majority of fire behavior is on the western perimeter with minimal concerns for nearby communities and residences.

Yesterday, firefighters continued aggressive suppression efforts primarily using air resources, with support from partner agencies, including Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, the Florida Highway Patrol and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. Similar operations are planned for today.

On April 30 at 8 a.m., the park amended the emergency closure order to exclude the airboat concessioners and airboat trails on the northwestern corner of the original closure. The remaining closure is still in place due to ongoing fire activity.

Coopertown, Gator Park, and Safari Park businesses have reopened to the public and can be contacted directly for hours of operation.

Updates on the fire and park status will be posted on the park's Alerts & Conditions page and official social media accounts @EvergladesNationalPark and @EvergladesNPS.

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service will use the InciWeb reporting system to provide ongoing updates about the fire at Highway 41 Fire Information page on InciWeb.