Big Cypress National Preserve reopens trails after fires

OCHOPEE, Fla. Several trails within the Big Cypress National Preserve have reopened after brush fires ravaged thousands of acres, the National Park Service said.

The following trails are now open:

• Monument Trail Bypass and Monument Trail from Monroe North junction to Concho Billie Trail
• Burns Lake Road, Burns Lake Day Use Area and Burns Lake Trail North from Windmill Tram to Concho Billie Trail, Burns Lake South from campground to Windmill Tram
• Lands to the north of U.S. 41 from Burns Lake Campground to Monument Lake Campground
• Lands east of the Turner River Road, south of Concho Billie Trail, and west of
• Monument Lake Trail
• Skillet Strand Trail and parking areas
• Windmill Tram Trail
• Road leading to Sanctuary
• Bear Island Campground

The area from the Nobles Grade Trail to the Addition Lands Trail remains closed because of fire activity, the National Park Service said.

Burns Lake, Gator Head, Pink Jeep and Monument Lake campgrounds will remain closed through the summer season, as is customary, according to the National Park Service. The campgrounds will reopen Aug. 15.

For more information, call a Southwest Florida and Caribbean Fire and Aviation Management Program duty officer at 239-719-0241.