BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — A wildfire in the Everglades has impacted much of Broward County overnight into Wednesday evening.
The fire, which has scorched roughly 19,200 acres and “mostly sawgrass fuels,” remained at zero percent containment as of 6 p.m., according to state fire officials. They also confirmed that there are “no structures at risk at the moment.”
6 p.m. report:
Local 10’s Jolena Esperto reported from Mile Marker 35 on Alligator Alley, where plumes of smoke rose along the horizon and traffic cameras captured flames in the distance.
“Wildfire in the Everglades has really impacted a lot of us in Broward County last night into this morning,” Esperto said. She added that calls to 911 poured in Tuesday night as the Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue responded to multiple reports of flames.
The Florida Forest Service said the fire started on Monday but strong winds have pushed smoke across Broward two days later, creating difficult air quality conditions.
Drivers across the county were met with difficult conditions during their morning commute.
Traffic cameras captured flames coming from the Everglades. Hazy conditions from the fire could also be seen in the area of University Drive in Plantation, heading south toward Interstate 595.
The National Weather Service cautioned that visibility could be reduced to five miles or less in the areas of heaviest smoke.
Some residents even reported smoke seeping into buildings.
Esperto said alarms went off in her Fort Lauderdale apartment late Tuesday night as wildfire smoke entered the hallways. She said the Florida Forest Service told her to disregard the alarms, noting that “the fire department has confirmed that smoke in the area triggered alarms.”
“During the summer it’s natural to have lightning cause wildfires, and with it being weather we’ve had rains and things to contribute,” said Michelle Danielson, senior forester for the Everglades.
Danielson also urged residents to stay alert.
“Stay cautious on roadways and if there’s smoke in the area use caution,” she said. “If you have any health conditions, be careful outside but also because of the heat index.”
“I woke up and could smell the haze in the air. I go out to my nice washed car and it’s gray. Both my cars were just covered in ash,” said Scott Daly, who lives in Pembroke Pines.
Local 10 meteorologist Amanda Pappas, while reporting live from Hollywood, said conditions had improved slightly by mid-morning but warned the situation remains fluid.
“That west wind is very strong, all thanks to Hurricane Erin, and that wind is going to help to push more of unfortunately that smoke towards our metro and coastal areas,” Pappas said.
Typically, easterly winds keep smoke from Everglades fires farther inland. But Pappas said shifting patterns tied to Hurricane Erin are now funneling the smoke toward more populated areas of South Florida.
Pappas said people with asthma, COPD, or other respiratory conditions should take extra precautions, adding that wearing a mask outdoors could help.
The National Weather Service said roadways may be reduced to 5 miles or less at times where smoke is densest.
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
