Massive Wildfire Tears Through Florida Everglades

A fast-moving wildfire has exploded to more than 25,000 acres in the Florida Everglades, burning through the Big Cypress National Preserve near Collier County with zero percent containment as of Wednesday. The blaze, now officially dubbed the "National Fire," is one of the most significant wildfires to strike South Florida in recent memory, and it is unfolding against the backdrop of the state's worst drought in 25 years.

The fire initially broke out late Sunday evening as two separate blazes within the Big Cypress National Preserve near Ochopee. By Monday afternoon, one of those fires had already grown from roughly five acres to 10,000 acres. By Tuesday, it had surged to 25,000 acres and showed no signs of slowing down. National Park Service spokeswoman Riki Hoopes described conditions on the ground as exceptionally dangerous, noting the region has seen virtually no measurable precipitation in months.

"It's an exceptionally dry year. We haven't had any precipitation in months, so it's not unusual to see fires spread in a couple of years' growth like that," Hoopes said, adding that continued fire behavior was expected in the days ahead.

Road Closures and Travel Hazards

The National Fire is burning in an area bordered by Interstate 75 (Alligator Alley) to the north and State Road 29 to the west. Thick plumes of smoke have been billowing directly over these heavily traveled corridors, reducing visibility and causing sporadic lane closures. Florida Highway Patrol troopers have been stationed along I-75 between mile markers 65 and 85 in Collier County, monitoring conditions around the clock.