In the Florida Everglades, emergency personnel are fighting a wildfire that covered little less than 5,000 acres and forced road closures as it got closer to residences.
The fire, which was 20% contained as of Sunday night, is being fought by firefighters from Miami-Dade, Broward County, and the Florida Forest Service.
Authorities closed roads and advised residents to avoid the area as it burnt close to Miramar.
Photographs taken at the scene depict a sizable portion of the wetlands on fire, with dense smoke rising from the flames.
“We couldn’t leave; the fire was blocking the dirt road,” Roxanne Gill, a local, told WPLG. Leaving is not an option. The only way out was by airboat. “It was enormous, there was so much smoke, we could hear it crackling, that’s how bad it was.” “I had to hose down my house.” Before the fire department arrived, everyone was hosing down their trailers, and I was afraid. I was terrified as I was removing all of my valuables from our home. I was asking everyone if I should take the baby and leave, but there was no way for me to do so.
Authorities closed roads and advised residents to avoid the area as it burnt close to Miramar.
Footage of workers attempting to put out the fire from the air and on the ground was shared by fire and rescue officials.
“There is a large Everglades fire which is sending smoke towards the Holly Lake area (US-27 & Pines Boulevard),” the Pembroke Pines Police Department warned in a statement.
“Fire-Rescue has set up along the Holly Lake community’s perimeter to monitor the fire in case it gets close to Pembroke Pines.”
A little while later, the agency released an alert advising anyone who was stopping to snap pictures and videos of the fire to refrain from doing so.
“People stopping to look at the Everglades fire are causing traffic backup along US-27 and Pines Boulevard,” they stated.
“PPPD is asking drivers to avoid the area; vehicles that try to stop on the road will be told to move.”
On a section of road leading out of the Florida Keys, automobiles were also backed up for eighteen miles, according to WPLG.
Teams attempting to put out the fire from the air and on the ground were captured on camera by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
On Sunday night, firefighters were on the site while the fire persisted.
The fire was 20% suppressed as of Sunday night.
Photographs taken on the spot depict a sizable portion of the wetlands on fire, with dense smoke rising from the flames.
As the fire spread on Sunday, teams could be seen here on the ground in residential neighbourhoods.
As the fire burnt, massive plumes of smoke were visible over the Everglades.
According to them, the fire began and swiftly moved westward, destroying over 150 acres and forcing the closure of many routes before it could spread.
“Residents and commuters are urged to avoid these areas as crews continue suppression operations,” the social media post continued.
“Those with respiratory conditions should stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed, and set their air conditioning to recirculate indoor air if smoky conditions affect your area.”
As a precaution, firefighters are still setting up stages all around the region, according to WPBF.
