1956 Easter Fire Traditional Cache

This cache is placed at Highlands Hammock State Park

The park is open from 8 am until sunset, 365 days a year.

A state park entrance fee is required.

This devastating 1956 Easter fire actually started some distance south of the park, but crept steadily north to the park with limited interruption.  The absence of firebreaks, low humidity, tinder dry undergrowth due to no fire for two years and high winds made conditions ideal for the out of control fire which swept through a significant section of the park before it was contained.  Further damage occurred after weary fire fighters, having gained control of the fire, left the smoldering embers which were fanned by winds the following morning causing the fire to spread into other sections of the park.  The lessons learned from this fire are noted as 1) the fire should have been controlled prior to reaching the park, 2) adequate firebreaks around the perimeter should have been provided to prevent fire from entering the park from the outside and 3) interior firebreaks would have facilitated control of fire if fire entered the park.