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Remote island makes Egmont Key fire difficult to battle, bring in supplies and crews

As of Wednesday, the fire is 75% contained
Crews are battling a fire on Egmont Key, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Posted at 2:12 PM, Jul 26, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-28 11:42:18-04

UPDATE (11:39 a.m.):

USFWS firefighters are reporting that Egmont Key may reopen by 9:00 a.m. on Friday, July 29. As of Thursday morning they were cleaning up what was left of the fire. The island received around 1 inch of rain on Wednesday night which helped put out more of the fire. It is now 95% contained. 

ORIGINAL STORY:
 
Firefighters worked tirelessly in the blazing heat to put out a wildlife sparked by a lightning strike that burned an estimated 50-100 acres of Egmont Key State Park on Tuesday.
The fire, believed to have been started sometime Monday night, was burning on the north end of the island Monday afternoon and no buildings were in danger.
 
By Wednesday morning, officials say the fire is on 79 acres of land and it is 50 percent contained. They say there is some rain to the north but it is not hitting the fire. 
"We've seen all the baby birds out there and I'm worried if they are OK," Tina Ennis said.  "It's really pretty scary for them.  I's just such a shame to see it burning it just breaks my heart for the wildlife out there."
 
Multiple state a federal agencies are working to contain the blaze including a crew from the Tampa Fire Department, The Southeast Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fire Management Division, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. 
 
According to the Florida State Parks website:
 

Egmont Key is primarily a wildlife refuge, it can be a personal refuge - a place to relax and collect shells along secluded, pristine beaches. Accessible only by private boat, Egmont Key has a unique natural and cultural history, including a lighthouse that has stood since 1858. During the 19th century, the island served as a camp for captured Seminoles at the end of the Third Seminole War and was later occupied by the Union Navy during the Civil War. In 1898, as the Spanish - American War threatened, Fort Dade was built on the island and remained active until 1923. After touring the historic sites and trails, visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, wildlife viewing, and picnicking. Located at the mouth of Tampa Bay, southwest of Fort DeSoto Beach.

Due to remote nature of the island there is no drinking water on the island and there are no stores. So please remember to bring water, food and sunscreen when you visit.

 
The Shore Bird Refuge on the southern end of the island has been closed and fire crews on scene said there is also no immediate danger there either.
 
Crews will remain on the island until the fire is out.
 
 
 
Copyright 2016 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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