16 Thousand Acres Burned In Big Cypress Fire
EVERGLADES (CBS4) - A wildfire in the Big Cypress National Preserve, sparked last week by a lightning strike, has consumed more than 16-thousand acres.
The fire, which is in a remote part of the preserve between Alligator Alley and the Tamiami Trail, is being pushed to the west by wind, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
The fire is blamed for the death of four Florida panther kittens, officials at the park found the kittens' remains Tuesday. The 5-week-old kittens were marked by the Big Cypress staff on April 15. Park officials say the mother was with the kittens until the fire reached the den about 2:30 p.m. Monday.
Firefighters from across the U.S. have joined local crews in creating firebreaks in the area to keep the flames from spreading. As of Tuesday afternoon the fires were only 15 percent contained.
Source: The Sun-Sentinel
