EGMONT KEY, Florida — Multiple local, state, and federal agencies responded Sunday evening, May 24, 2026, after a fire broke out on Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge, sending thick black smoke visible across portions of the Tampa Bay area and prompting a significant emergency response involving marine and fire rescue units.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, authorities received a 911 call regarding the fire at approximately 5:43 p.m. Sunday. The agency confirmed its Marine Unit immediately responded alongside local and federal partners to assist with containment and safety operations around the island refuge. Officials stated there were no immediate reports of injuries.
Egmont Key, located at the mouth of Tampa Bay near Fort De Soto, serves as both a protected wildlife refuge and historic state park accessible primarily by boat. The island is known for its environmentally sensitive habitats, nesting bird populations, sea turtle activity, and historic military structures, making wildfire threats particularly concerning for environmental officials and emergency responders.
Authorities have not yet publicly disclosed the exact size or cause of Sunday’s fire as crews continued active response operations into the evening. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was expected to release additional information as firefighting and monitoring efforts continued.
The incident quickly drew attention across Florida’s Gulf Coast as large plumes of smoke became visible from nearby waterfront communities and beaches. Residents throughout portions of Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, and surrounding coastal areas reported seeing emergency activity near the island shortly after the fire began.
Sunday’s fire also revived memories of previous wildfire incidents on Egmont Key, including a major 2023 wildfire that burned approximately 30 to 35 acres and required a coordinated multi-agency response involving the U.S. Coast Guard, Hillsborough County Aviation, Florida Fish and Wildlife officials, and multiple fire departments.
During that earlier incident, authorities temporarily evacuated the island and utilized helicopters equipped with water buckets to help slow the spread of flames across the wildlife refuge. Environmental officials previously warned that fires on Egmont Key present unique challenges because of limited access, dry vegetation, wildlife habitats, and the island’s remote location.
As of Sunday night, officials had not announced evacuations related to the current fire or whether access to Egmont Key would be temporarily suspended. Authorities are expected to continue monitoring conditions overnight while assessing any environmental impact or structural damage caused by the blaze.
