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Everglades Max Road Fire Hits 11,300 Acres, Now 70% Contained Near Pembroke Pines

Extreme drought made the Everglades unusually flammable this week.

Overview

  • The Max Road Fire, which started Sunday near Krome Avenue, has burned about 11,339 acres and is 70% contained, according to the Florida Forest Service on Tuesday.
  • Florida Forest Service crews worked with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, the Broward Sheriff’s Office and National Guard helicopters to drop water and hold fire lines.
  • Thick smoke cut visibility near U.S. 27 and Pines Boulevard as police urged drivers not to stop on the roadway and warned of localized closures.
  • Everglades Holiday Park suspended operations as crews focused on protecting the nearby Holly Lake mobile-home community, and officials reported no deaths or serious injuries.
  • Investigators have not identified a cause, and dry, gusty conditions helped the fire spread quickly, with forecast rain through Thursday expected to aid containment.