Massive Everglades fire burns 1,600 Acres, sends smoke across South Florida roads. Check areas affected

Smoke from two brush fires burning in the Everglades are drifting over Fort Lauderdale and the western Broward County suburbs. A wildfire burning in the Florida Everglades sent the smell of smoke and haze into the air across South Florida early Wednesday. Smoke from two uncontained brush fires in the Florida Everglades has prompted visibility warnings for drivers and residents.

Dubbed the 'Mile Marker 39 fire', it burned had burned 1600 acres by Tuesday afternoon, according to the Florida Forest Service. It was 0% contained. A blanket of smoke was seen over parts of South Florida Wednesday morning as firefighters in West Broward worked to contain a brushfire in the Everglades.

The Florida Forest Service units responded to reports of a wildfire burning along Alligator Alley near mile marker 39. “Look at this smoke, thick blanket of smoke choking a lot of smoke this morning,” said 7Skyforce Steven J. Gray.


Authorities told Miami Herald that the two wildfires in the Everglades spread to more than 1,800 acres as of Wednesday morning and the smoke is creating hazy skies and reducing visibility on roadways in metro and coastal Broward County.

"Smoke from the Sawgrass & Mile Marker 39 wildfires burning in the Everglades has resulted in continued low visibilities across Broward County this morning. Exercise extra caution on the roads as visibilities may vary greatly across short distances," NWS Miami said in a post on X.

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Roughly 2,000 acres was charred between two brush fires, according to the Florida Forest Service. The firefighting officials are currently onsite and monitoring the blaze so it doesn’t affect any nearby structures or roadways.

Another blaze, named the Sawgrass Fire, was 250 acres in size and was also 0% contained. Northwest winds pushed the smoke toward Interstate 75 and across more populated areas. Both fires are far inland in Broward County and northwest of Fort Lauderdale.

Advisory issued

Areas such as Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach are affected, reports Miami Herald. Drivers are urged to use caution during their morning commutes, as visibility may change suddenly across short distances. Authorities are also advising people sensitive to smoke and air pollution to limit outdoor activity.

The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement for Broward County, saying visibility may drop to 3 miles or less where the smoke is densest. Drivers were advised to use caution. The air quality is "unhealthy," the county's Natural Resource Division said, and residents should consider staying inside to avoid inhaling air pollution.

The NWS also told people more sensitive to particle pollution to "consider reducing your activity level or shortening the amount of time you are outdoors." The National Weather Service posted on X that people who are sensitive to particulate matter should limit their time outdoors. Air quality conditions are being monitored, and residents can check real-time updates through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Now website.

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