Fire has always been a common and natural occurrence in the Everglades. Native Americans and pioneers have historically used fire for centuries. They understood that vegetation and wildlife responded to the beneficial effects of fires. Frequent lightning ignited fires have also shaped the wild landscape of south Florida. Wildfires can stimulate lush plant growth an flowering quickly after a burn in the Everglades. Virtually all the vegetation communities in Everglades National Park are fire dependent or fire adapted.
Everglades National Park Division of Fire and Aviation staff are responsible for all fire activities including suppression, prescribed fire operations, fire effects, and fire ecology. Aviation staff are responsible for all of the park's flights including research, fire and resource management, law enforcement and search and rescue activities. Aircraft use occurs daily and touches nearly every employee in the park to some degree. Resources used to aid in fire management include a Type 3 Wildland Fire Engine, a Type 6 Wildland Fire Engine, and a Type 3 Helicopter. As resources allow, fire management staff memebers are sent to assist with wildfires and prescribed fires across the nation, most often during the summer dry seasons across the western United States. Additionally, fire staff assist in a wide variety of all hazard incidents within the park and nationally, including hurricanes and flooding. |
Last updated: February 16, 2023