Fire Update-wednesday, May 21, 2008
Incident: Mustang Corner Wildland Fire
Released: 5/21/2008
Firefighters, aerial support and the weather all cooperated yesterday to limit the Mustang Corner Fire's spread and to strengthen the line around the roughly 40,000-acre fire. Because of these combined efforts, the fire is now 50 percent contained.
Ground crews worked to put out spot fires along the southern boundary of the fire. Aerial resources-helicopters, single-engine and heavy airtankers-successfully dropped water and fire retardant on the hottest areas of the fire
Mustang Corner firefighters successfully assisted with a brush fire just outside the park boundary, limiting its size to under an acre. Three nearby prisons remain evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Today
The National Park Service and fire personnel are making every effort to keep the fire within the park boundary. Today's suppression efforts will concentrate on hot spots on the southern and western edges of the fire. More than 250 personnel from around the country are involved in the incident and are being supported by a variety of aircraft. Firefighters are working to protect important habitat for the federally endangered Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow and other natural resources.
Fire weather forecasters are expecting a wind shift from the southwest to the east on Thursday, May 22-this is the first time over the past week that the western edge of the fire will be tested. Although the fire is 50 percent contained, the potential for new fires still exists due to continued high winds, low relative humidity, and little appreciable moisture.
To date, no structures have been lost and the fire remains within the Park boundary. All Everglades National Park facilities are open for park visitors.
Residents should remain alert for intermittent and unexpected smoke on roadways. If visibility should suddenly decrease, move your vehicle completely off of the roadway to avoid being hit from behind by following traffic. Stay indoors during periods of heavy smoke cover and take special precautions to protect children, senior citizens, person with breathing problems and outdoor pets.
The Need For Restoration
The National Park Service is a primary partner in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). Often called the largest hydrologic restoration project in the world, the plan aims to mimic the natural quality, quantity, timing, distribution and flow of fresh water through the remaining remnants of the River of Grass.
An estimated 40,000 acres east of Shark River Slough have been consumed by the Mustang Corner Fire. In addition to drought conditions felt elsewhere in south Florida, this area also suffers from a lack of necessary freshwater flow from the north. Currently, a series of roads, levees, canals and structures impede the flow of water to the south. The successful completion of select CERP components and other related restoration projects are expected to bring more water to the parched Everglades ecosystem and restore the natural ecological function of the area. Doing so is likely to reduce the frequency of large wildfires in the future.
Road Closures
Everglades National Park has temporarily closed Richmond Drive (SW 168th Street) west of the park border to motorized and non-motorized vehicles due to public safety concerns.
Mustang Corner Fire information
Website: http://www.inciweb.org/
Email: mustangcornerfire@gmail.com
Information Hotline: 404-354-5878
