Brush fire prompts closure of Biscayne National Park

300 acres burned in fire near Turkey Point

HOMESTEAD, Fla. – A fire burning near the Turkey Point nuclear plant forced the closure of land access to Biscayne National Park on Wednesday afternoon.

According to National Park Service, the wildfire is burning just outside park boundaries along the park's access road, Canal Drive.

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Park rangers have also closed the Dante Fascell Visitor Center and are escorting visitors out of the park.

"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."

"It is too soon to tell when the park will reopen," Jacobs said. "We are coordinating with local authorities and will reopen the park after we determine it is safe to do so."

The park will post updates on its website.

Division of Forestry officials are burning vegetation in the area of 328th Street in an attempt to stop it from fueling the fire. They say they are making good progress.

So far, more than 300 acres have burned, officials say.