After hearing the reports of a Shell Key wildfire on Thursday morning, we went to the area to investigate. There was no fire or smoke on the island. There was evidence that a small fire has occurred and caused a small patch of burned grass on the north end of the island.
We are adamant that this report should not be used to bolster the draconian measure of banning camping on the island. In 50 years of camping on Shell Key, there has been exactly ONE small grassfire due to extreme drought conditions. This event does not represent a rational argument to ban camping. However, It does underscore a need for the common practice of issuing permits to warn campers of dangers like drought conditions.
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