Fire crews were scrambling to contain a wildfire that’s tearing through Collier County right as campers geared up for a busy spring weekend.
The fire, dubbed “Hilux,” has already burned about 300 acres inside Big Cypress National Preserve, and by Saturday, April 4, 2026, teams from the Florida Forest Service and National Park Service were laying out containment lines, working fast against unpredictable winds and bone-dry ground.
The fire took off so quickly, officials ordered mandatory evacuations at Bear Island, Gator Head, and Pink Jeep campgrounds. Rangers wasted no time getting everyone out, knowing these sites are favorites among off-road riders and hikers who sometimes lose signal when they’re deep in the backcountry. Officials have closed access to all three campgrounds until further notice.
“Public safety comes first, especially with the weekend crowds,” said a spokesperson for the multi-agency team handling the fire. The terrain is tricky, and thick palmetto and pine stoke the flames, kicking up heavy smoke and brutal heat.
Smoke from the wildfire is already messing with travel along some of South Florida’s main roads. The Florida Highway Patrol put out an advisory for I-75 (Alligator Alley) and State Road 29 intersection. Troopers are stationed along the route to look out for “super-fog,” a heavy blend of smoke and moisture that can suddenly wipe out visibility and force road closures fast. They’re urging drivers to keep windows up and headlights on while they pass through the SR-29 corridor.
Nobody knows yet what sparked the Hilux fire, but officials pointed out that the dry spell and low humidity have left Big Cypress ripe for something like this. Thankfully, as of Saturday, no buildings suffered damage, and no one experienced harm.
Crews are out on the ground and flying water-dropping helicopters overhead, hitting hotspots and trying to keep this thing contained. Big Cypress National Preserve’s social media pages will post updates on campground reopenings and air quality as they learn more.
