BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — As of Tuesday evening, flames had burned more than 5,000 acres in the Everglades in western Broward County, according to the Florida Forest Service.
The fire is about 25 percent contained.
Kevin MacEwen, the Florida Forest Service’s Everglades District manager and forest area supervisor, said there were three crews in all-terrain carriers on the ground.
“It has got a tank with 500 gallons of water on it,” MacEwen said. “It has got wide tracks, it’s a fairly light vehicle, and it’s made to go within the Everglades.”
MacEwen said the crews and a helicopter were working to keep the fire away from the traffic on the northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. Highway 27.
“Fortunately, the wind is flowing east, and it’s pushing the fire away from us,” MacEwen said, adding the wind was gusting over 20 mph amid a “historical drought.”
A Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue helicopter responded to drop water over remote hot spots west of Weston, according to BSFR Battalion Chief Michael B. Kane.
BSFR requested assistance from the Florida Forest Service, as flames burned under power lines west of Highway 27 and mile marker 45, according to Kane.
Local 10 News Weather Authority meteorologist Brandon Orr warned drivers that the fire’s smoke could impact visibility on Alligator Alley.
Florida has been enduring one of the worst droughts in 15 years, so the Florida Forest Service has had to deal with more wildfires than usual.
“We probably still have another six to nine weeks of this,” MacEwen said.
Local 10 News Assignment Editor Carson Merlo contributed to this report.
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