Yes, there is a wildfire in Broward County right now. And yes, it is massive.
Credit: UnSplash / Dirk Erasmus
A sprawling wildfire burning in western Broward County continued to send thick smoke across parts of South Florida on Monday, as firefighters worked to contain flames stretching across nearly 5,000 acres in the Everglades and the Broward-Miami-Dade county line.
Known as the Max Road Fire, the blaze sparked Sunday afternoon west of U.S. 27 near the Everglades Wildlife Management Area and quickly expanded amid dry brush and gusty conditions, according to NBC Miami. The outlet reported that portions of U.S. 27 — the primary roadway running along the edge of the Everglades — faced intermittent closures as crews responded to the growing fire.
Smoke from the wildfire drifted eastward into populated areas including Pembroke Pines overnight and into Monday morning. According to CBS Miami, residents in western Broward neighborhoods woke up to hazy skies and the smell of smoke as winds pushed conditions farther east throughout the day.
Communities including Weston, Miramar and Southwest Ranches also experienced reduced visibility and smoky conditions Monday. FOX Weather noted that weather conditions and dry vegetation helped fuel the fire’s rapid spread across conservation land bordering the metro area.
Meanwhile, USA Today reported that the wildfire had grown to nearly 5,000 acres by Monday, placing it among several active brush fires burning across South Florida during the region’s late dry season.
Officials told local media outlets that crews from Broward, Miami-Dade and state agencies remain on scene building containment lines and monitoring changing wind conditions. No evacuation orders or structural damage had been widely reported as of Monday afternoon, though authorities continued urging drivers to use caution near U.S. 27 due to smoke and firefighting activity.
