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…