US 41 closed Saturday by smoke from Sandy Fire; firefighters using drones to thwart the progress of the fire

[ad_1]

Smoke billowing from the Sandy Fire continued twelve days after the blaze began on Saturday as more than 100 federal and state firefighters dug fire lines and helicopter and firefighter pilots planes dropped thousands of tons of water every hour on Friday.

And putting a bit of high-tech firefighting into play on Friday, wildland firefighters began using drones to thwart the advancing flames.

Florida Highway Patrol on Saturday, for the second time in two days, halted traffic on a nearly 60-mile section of US 41 due to the fire.

Rob Berney

/

Special for WGCU

Drones have now been brought into play carrying fire extinguishing materials to help try and corral the Sandy Fire in the Big Cypress National Preserve.

Smoke and haze created by the 16,600-acre wildfire forced the Florida Highway Patrol to close a 58-mile stretch of US 41 from Miami-Dade to Collier Counties Friday morning, fearing drivers could reduce their speed enough to avoid a pileup due to slowdowns. The road was reopened more than seven hours later, shortly before 4:30 p.m.

Shortly before 3 p.m. Saturday, the FHP announced it was again closing 41, eastbound from State Route 29 in Collier and westbound from Krome Avenue in Miami-Dade due to poor visibility from smoke from the fire of forest.

The FHP reopened on 41 shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. “Soldiers will continue to monitor this area,” an FHP statement said.

“Travelers should be aware of potential closures and exercise caution when driving on US 41,” said National Parks Service wildfire information officer Riki Hoopes. “Vehicles should drive slowly and be aware of their surroundings and any fire equipment entering and exiting the road.”

Specific evacuations entered phase two of three on Friday as the blaze, 35% contained, continued to grow to its southwest.

There was less than two-tenths of an inch of rain at the Big Cypress National Preserve in April. No rain has fallen there so far this month, according to the South Florida Water Management District.

And on May 21, the first rainy day of the “summer season” in South Florida is on average a week away, according to the National Weather Service.

Hoopes said the Sandy Fire continues to burn through thick stands of pine, cypress and underbrush, making firefighting difficult because ground equipment often cannot reach the flames.

The drones used a method called dragon eggs, similar to ping pong balls but filled with potassium permanganate powder and injected with glycol and dropped onto the target site.

The bullets ignite approximately 30 seconds after injection to ignite a controlled fire.

Anatomy of a forest fire:

Submitted

/

Special for WGCU

The FHP said on Saturday that soldiers, along with US Park Rangers, were monitoring wildfires along 41 in Collier County. All lanes were open as of noon, but the FHP said there may be periodic closures later Saturday.

Road closures remain in effect west of 11 Mile Road, east of Monument Trail and south of Mud Lake, Little Deer, Oasis Trail and Lost Dog, including the Florida Trail from the Oasis Visitor Center .

Environmental Reporting for WGCU is funded in part by VoLoFoundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to accelerate global change and impact by supporting science-based climate solutions, improving education, and improving health.

Sign up today for WGCU’s monthly environmental newsletter, the Green Flash.

WGCU is your trusted source for Southwest Florida news and information. We are a non-profit public service and your support is more essential than ever. Keep public media strong and donate now. THANKS. Copyright 2023 WGCU. To learn more, visit WGCU.

[ad_2]