SOUTH FLORIDA — Wildfires continued to burn across parts of the Florida Everglades on Sunday as firefighters worked to contain several separate blazes in areas spanning Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Collier counties.
The Florida Forest Service was responding to multiple fires as dry conditions and wildfire activity created challenging conditions across portions of South Florida.
The largest fire reported Sunday was the 22 Fire, burning in northern Miami-Dade County near Everglades National Park. According to the Florida Forest Service’s Everglades field unit, the blaze had burned approximately 880 acres and was 40% contained as of Sunday afternoon.
The size of the fire made it the most significant of the active wildfires being monitored in the region.
Shark Valley Temporarily Closed Because of Fire Activity
The wildfire activity near the Everglades also affected visitors to the national park.
The National Park Service temporarily closed Shark Valley as crews dealt with nearby wildfire conditions. Smoke from two fires in the area, known as the Chipmunk and Vulture fires, was visible from Main Park Road and U.S. Highway 41.
The smoke provided a visible reminder of the active fires burning across the region, while officials worked to limit potential risks to visitors and park operations.
Closures can change as conditions evolve, making it important for anyone planning to visit the area to check official updates before traveling.
The fires also highlight the challenges firefighters face when multiple wildfires are active across a broad area at the same time.
Palm Beach County Fire Burns Hundreds of Acres
Firefighters were also battling a significant wildfire in southwestern Palm Beach County.
The Florida Forest Service reported that the fire was burning inside a wildlife management area and had scorched approximately 350 acres.
Despite the size of the blaze, crews had made substantial progress by Sunday. The fire was reported to be 85% contained, indicating that firefighters had established control around most of the fire’s perimeter.
Containment does not necessarily mean a fire has been completely extinguished. Crews typically continue monitoring and working inside contained areas to prevent remaining flames or hot spots from escaping established lines.
Smaller Collier County Fire Nearly Contained
Another wildfire was burning in Collier County near the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge. That fire was considerably smaller than the other two major blazes, having burned approximately seven acres by Sunday.
According to the Florida Forest Service’s Caloosahatchee field unit, the fire was 95% contained, with crews remaining on the scene.
Although the fire was nearly contained, firefighters continued their efforts to ensure it did not spread beyond established containment lines.
The different containment levels across the three counties demonstrate how quickly wildfire conditions can vary from one location to another.
Officials Urge Public to Monitor Conditions
With multiple fires active across South Florida, officials are urging residents and visitors to stay informed about changing wildfire conditions and temporary closures.
Smoke can affect visibility and travel conditions, while closures may be implemented or extended depending on fire activity and safety concerns.
Anyone planning to travel near the Everglades or other affected areas should check current information before heading out.
The Florida Forest Service continues to provide updates on active wildfires, containment efforts and other developments as crews work across the region.
For residents and visitors, officials say staying informed remains one of the most important steps as wildfire conditions continue to change across South Florida.
Have you seen wildfire smoke or experienced a closure in South Florida recently? Share your experience in the comments.
