Emergency teams are actively combating a wildfire in the Florida Everglades that has expanded to nearly 5,000 acres, prompting road closures as the flames approach residential areas. Fire crews from Miami-Dade, Broward County, and the Florida Forest Service are all on the scene, working tirelessly to contain the blaze, which as of Sunday night was 20 percent contained.
Blaze Near Miramar Prompts Evacuations and Roadblocks
The wildfire is situated near Miramar, leading authorities to close roads and urge local residents to stay away from the area. Images from the scene depict a vast expanse of wetlands engulfed in flames, with thick smoke billowing into the sky.
Local resident Roxanne Gill shared her harrowing experience with WPLG: 'We couldn't leave; the fire was blocking the dirt road. There's no leaving. The only way to leave was to take an airboat. It was huge, there was so much smoke, we could hear it crackling, that's how bad it was. I had to hose down my house. Everyone was hosing down their trailers before the fire department came. I was scared. I was getting all my important stuff out of our house, and I was freaking out, asking everyone if I should take the baby, if I should leave, and there's no way of leaving, I was super scared.'
Response Efforts and Community Impact
Fire and rescue teams have released footage showing crews working to extinguish the blaze both on the ground and from the air. The Pembroke Pines Police Department issued a statement: 'There is a large Everglades fire which is sending smoke towards the Holly Lake area (US-27 & Pines Boulevard). Fire-Rescue has set up along the perimeter of the Holly Lake community to monitor the fire in the event that it approaches Pembroke Pines.'
An update from the department later urged those stopping to take videos and photographs of the blaze to cease doing so. They said: 'People stopping to look at the Everglades fire are causing traffic backup along US-27 and Pines Boulevard. PPPD is requesting that drivers please stay out of the area; cars attempting to stop along the roadway will be directed to move.'
According to WPLG, traffic was backed up for 18 miles on a stretch of road leading out of the Florida Keys. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue shared footage of teams working from both ground and aerial positions to suppress the fire.
Fire Spread and Precautions
The fire originated and rapidly spread westward, burning over 150 acres and causing road closures before expanding further. A social media post added: 'Residents and commuters are urged to avoid these areas as crews continue suppression operations. If smoky conditions impact your area, individuals with respiratory conditions should remain indoors, keep windows and doors closed, and set their air conditioning to recirculate indoor air.'
Fire crews are continuing to establish staging areas throughout the region as a precautionary measure, as reported by WPBF.
