Florida Everglades wildfire burns over 4,400 acres

Kathy Laskowski, South Florida Sun Sentinel on Jul 17, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

A brush fire burning in the Everglades in far western Broward County has consumed more than 4,400 acres as of Friday morning.

The fire, dubbed Mile Marker 40, was reported on Thursday west of U.S. 27 about 10 miles north of Interstate 75. The fire is considered 20% contained.

Smoke has been visible mostly in the area near the flames so far, although a shift in light winds on Friday may change the direction of the haze.

At least two dozen wildfires are burning across Florida, well beyond the traditional fire season in the state. Among the active fires are the Berger wildfire in southwest Palm Beach County, which is about 50% contained over about 350 acres as of Friday morning, and a 2,800-acre fire in Miami-Dade County that is over 95% contained.

Because of persistent drought conditions and extreme heat, South Florida could see “above-normal” levels of significant wildland fire potential through August, according to a report from the federal government’s National Interagency Fire Center. This year, South Florida has seen its worst drought in 25 years.