Pasco County Wildfires: Starkey Park, Suncoast Bike Trail Closed

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — As three large wildfires in Pasco County continued to keep first responders hopping Thursday, the Florida Forest Service provided an update on efforts. One of the three fires had been deemed 100 percent contained while progress is being made on the other two.

The fire that is fully contained has been dubbed the “Campground fire” by officials. The blaze broke out earlier in the week on land within Starkey Wilderness Preserve’s Serenova Tract. State officials reported Thursday, April 13, that the fire was holding at 75 acres and was considered 100 percent contained.

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The Silver Palm Fire, which is burning on land near the Suncoast Lakes subdivision in the Land O’ Lakes area, had been deemed 70 percent contained. That blaze had grown to cover 55 acres as of Thursday. Firefighters closed off access to Silver Palm Boulevard, that leads to the subdivision of about 50 homes, on Wednesday to try to gain more control over the blaze.

The newest wildfire in Pasco, dubbed the South Bike Trail Fire, had grown to 150 acres in size on Thursday. The fire, also within Starkey Park, was considered 65 percent contained. That fire broke out Wednesday, forcing the mandatory evacuation of the park.

According to Pasco County officials, Starkey Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Road, will remain off limits to users until further notice. The closing impacts all bike trails, campsites and day use activities. The Suncoast Bike Trail from State Road 52 to State Road 54 and the trails heading into Starkey Park also remained closed on Thursday.

Pasco County Commissioners declared an outdoor burn ban on Wednesday. Florida Gov. Rick Scott issued a state of emergency declaration due to wildfire activity across the state on Tuesday.

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Photo courtesy of Pasco County