Land access to Biscayne National Park was closed off because of a wildfire that burned just outside its boundaries along its access road, officials said Wednesday.
Park rangers have also closed the Dante Fascell Visitor Center and visitors are being escorted out of the park as firefighters tried to contain the blaze that has burned about 150 acres since it started Tuesday.
“We are taking these precautions to help ensure the safety of the visiting public,” said Sula Jacobs, the park’s assistant superintendent. “We do not know the extent of the fire, but it is close to the park’s boundary and we don’t want to risk injury to our visitors.”
Forestry officials said about 50 percent of the fire is contained as it burns in the area north of Southwest 344th Street and east of 117th Avenue.
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The fire is believed to have started Monday when lightning hit a pine tree and began smoldering overnight and sparking flames Tuesday afternoon.
Officials said Tuesday evening that no homes or roads are in danger.
