NATIONAL FIRE UPDATE: Road closure, voluntary evacuation order lifted on Sunday

Update Sunday at 11:20am
The Florida Highway Patrol says it opened State Road 29 to traffic. It says troopers will continue to monitor smoke conditions on I-75 and US 41.

Sunday Update
Firefighters will be back at the National wildfire in Big Cypress National Preserve on Sunday to strengthen and reinforce containment lines and extinguish any hotspots.

The fire has grown to 35,034 acres and is 27% contained.

The voluntary evacuation order for people who live in Jerome was lifted, in part because smoke is not expected to be as heavy there on Sunday.

Florida Highway Patrol says part of State Road 29 will remain closed.

Saturday was a productive day for the nearly 200 people working the fire. The planned strategic firing operation on the southern portion of the fire was started. The National Park Service says fire managers took advantage of favorable weather conditions and accomplished firing along SR-29 between Deep Lake, Lower Wagonwheel Road, and the northern portion of Birdon Road.

The operation involved both ground ignition and aerial ignition of unburned fuels between containment lines and the main fire, to secure the fire perimeter. Firefighters were able to accomplish the bulk of the planned three-day firing operation on Saturday.

"The Southern Area Gray Incident Management Team is deeply grateful to the local fire departments, law enforcement partners and other state and federal agencies who assisted with [Saturday's] operations on the National Fire." said Toby Stapleton, Incident Commander Trainee. “These coordinated efforts required extraordinary planning, communication, and professionalism.

Saturday Update
The Collier County Sheriff's Office will issue a voluntary evacuation for people who live in Jerome on Saturday.

In a social media post on Friday night, the sheriff's office said it will also close State Road 29 between I-75 and US-41 from 8:00am to 8:00pm, except for people who live in the area.

The post said, "This closure is necessary to provide for public and firefighter safety as firing operations occur on the east side of SR-29 between Deep Lake and Janes Scenic Drive."

The sheriff's office said people who live in Copeland should be on alert as well for a possible evacuation.

The National fire has burned more than 30,000 acres in the Big Cypress National Preserve this week. State troopers closed part of Alligator Alley late Wednesday night because the smoke got so bad.