Atlantic Fire Grows to 5,000 Acres in Everglades, Half Contained
A lightning-sparked brush fire, named the Atlantic Fire, has rapidly grown to over 5,000 acres in the Everglades near the Sawgrass Expressway in Broward County. Firefighters have contained half of the blaze, which began on Sunday and initially covered a…
Miami Fort Lauderdale, FL, June 30, 2026 —
The Atlantic Fire, a brush fire ignited by lightning in the Florida Everglades, has expanded to cover more than 5,000 acres. The blaze is located near the Sawgrass Expressway in Broward County.
As of the latest reports, firefighters have successfully contained 50% of the fire. The fire originated on Sunday, initially spanning a few hundred acres.
While the current intensity of the fire is low, officials are advising that a potential increase in temperatures could lead to a resurgence in flame activity. To mitigate the risk to the nearby highway, efforts were undertaken to conduct prescribed burns in the area, intended to create a buffer against the fire’s progression.
The exact cause of the fire is attributed to a lightning strike. The incident began on Sunday, and its rapid growth has prompted ongoing firefighting efforts. The containment of half the fire’s perimeter represents a significant step, though the full extent of the blaze remains a concern, particularly with anticipated weather changes.
Story summarized from the original created by Roy Ramos on www.local10.com, see more information here.