A major wildfire continues burning in western Broward County's Everglades, consuming nearly 48,000 acres—an area twice the size of Disney World. The Florida Forest Service reports the blaze is 85% contained as of Sunday afternoon, with crews using heavy equipment and aerial drops to combat the flames.
Fire Origins and Current Status
The massive fire began as two separate blazes last Monday evening following severe thunderstorms. Lightning strikes created both the Mile Marker 39 Fire and the Sawgrass Fire, which merged Wednesday morning into the current wildfire burning primarily sawgrass fuel.
Forest Service supervisor Thom Coletti witnessed the lightning strikes while driving on U.S. 27, marking the beginning of what would become one of the region's most significant recent wildfires. The fire remains far inland, northwest of Fort Lauderdale, and officials confirm it poses no threat to residential properties.
Officials expect the fire to burn itself out within days as available fuel sources become depleted. The remote Everglades location allows firefighters to focus on containment rather than immediate structure protection.
Air Quality Impact on Broward Residents
Heavy smoke from the fires significantly degraded Broward County's air quality throughout last week, prompting health warnings for residents sensitive to particulate pollution. County officials advised limiting outdoor activities during peak smoke periods.
Air quality conditions improved Friday when sea breezes pushed smoke westward, upgrading conditions from unhealthy to moderate levels. Weekend conditions continued improving, with Sunday and Monday showing good air quality ratings according to AirNow.gov monitoring data.
The rapid air quality changes demonstrate how wind patterns and weather conditions dramatically affect pollution exposure during wildfire events. Residents experienced firsthand how smoke can create sudden health risks that require immediate protective responses.
Health Protection During Wildfire Smoke Events
Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter that penetrates deep into lungs and enters the bloodstream, creating health risks for all residents but particularly affecting children, elderly individuals, and people with respiratory conditions like asthma.
During smoke events, health officials recommend staying indoors with windows and doors closed, using air conditioning on recirculate mode, avoiding outdoor exercise, and wearing N95 masks when outdoor exposure is unavoidable.
The Everglades fire highlights how wildfire smoke can affect air quality across large metropolitan areas, making comprehensive indoor air protection essential for family health during these increasingly common environmental emergencies.
Protect Your Family from Wildfire Smoke
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