A multi-hour closure of U.S. 41 in eastern Collier and western Dade counties Friday was the largest impact yet from the more than 16,000-acre Sandy Fire in the Big Cypress National Preserve.The Florida Highway Patrol closed a 58-plus mile portion of 41, from Krome Avenue in Dade to State Road 29 in Collier to ensure the safety of travelers as well as for the firefighters working along the roadside.
Containment on the Sandy Fire has increased today as crews tied control lines into U.S. 41 on the east flank of the fire. The fire is currently 15,130 acres and 30% contained.
The Sandy Fire in the southeastern portion of the Big Cypress National Preserve has grown over 11,000 acres and fire officials have activated a second phase of evacuation plans for those living within the affected area.The wildfire began May 1 as a 50-acre blaze in an area of the preserve between I-75 to then north and U.S. 41 to the south.