Crime & Safety
Starkey Wilderness Park Closed, Evacuated
Wildfire concerns have forced the closing of Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park.
NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Pasco County residents with plans to visit Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park will need to find another place to enjoy the great outdoors until further notice. The county announced Wednesday afternoon the park was being evacuated and closed until further notice.
The 10500 Wilderness Park Road facility is being impacted by wildfires that are continuing to burn within the county. One of those fires broke out in the park’s Serenova Tract on Monday. Wednesday's closing, county officials say, was prompted by another wildfire that has broken out at the park. That fire is estimated to span about 5 to 10 acres.
The closing includes all bike trails, campsites and other facilities within the 8,300-acre preserve. The closing will remain in place “until further notice,” an email from the county said.
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On Wednesday, Pasco County Commissioners also issued a countywide burn ban in light of recent wildfire activity. Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday declared a state of emergency as an estimated 100 wildfires burned across Florida.
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