Cayo Costa fire toll is 187 acres

The fire on Cayo Costa that started on April 16 is 95 percent contained, say Department of Environmental Protection officials. The blaze burned 187 acres.

The park re-opened on April 21 and is under normal operation.

“The fire resulted from a campfire at the park’s campground that became uncontrollable,” said Amy Graham, public information officer for the DEP. “Park staff continues to monitor the situation and ensure that the area remains contained. No structures have been harmed and no individuals injured as a result of the fire.”

Officials believe the cause of the fire might be ashes from a camp fire that were dumped in the woods.

Barry Stevens, the assistant park manager, said that firefighters officially left the island on April 30. He described one night when he returned to the island after transporting firefighters to another location by boat.

“The whole place looked like it was on fire, like it was all burning down,” he said. “It went south of the campground and down by the lagoon east a little bit, then the wind shifted and it just raced across the island.”

Crews from the Florida Park Service, Florida Division of Forestry, North Captiva Fire Department and Pine Island Fire Department responded to the fire. Florida Park Police responded initially and throughout the incident.