Fire crews battle huge 5,000-acre Everglades brush blaze in race to stop rapidly spreading flames from burning nearby homes as residents reveal terror amid billowing black smoke

By JOE HUTCHISON, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 07:06, 11 May 2026 | Updated: 07:28, 11 May 2026 Emergency teams are battling a wildfire in the Florida Everglades that stretched to just under 5,000 acres, forcing road closures as it neared homes.  Fire crews across Miami-Dade, Broward County, and the Florida Forest Service are all on scene battling the blaze that as of Sunday night was 20 percent contained.  The blaze was near Miramar, with authorities closing down roads and urging locals to stay clear as it burned.  Images captured at the scene show a large expanse of the wetlands ablaze, with thick smoke billowing up from the fire.  Local Roxanne Gill told WPLG: 'We couldn't leave; the fire was blocking the dirt road. There's no leaving. The only way to leave was to take an airboat. 'It was huge, there was so much smoke, we could hear it crackling, that's how bad it was. 'I had to hose down my house. Everyone was hosing down their trailers before the fire department came. 'I was scared. I was getting all my important stuff out of our house, and I was freaking out, asking everyone if I should take the baby, if I should leave, and there's no way of leaving, I was super scared.' The blaze was near Miramar, with authorities closing down roads and urging locals to stay clear as it burned Fire and rescue teams posted footage of crews working to extinguish the blaze on the ground and from the sky Pembroke Pines PD said in a statement: 'There is a large Everglades fire which is sending smoke towards the Holly Lake area (US-27 & Pines Boulevard).  'Fire-Rescue has setup along the perimeter of the Holly Lake community to monitor the fire in the event that it approaches Pembroke Pines.' An update from the department some time later urged those stopping to take videos and photographs of the blaze not to do so.  They said: 'People stopping to look at the Everglades fire are causing traffic backup along US-27 and Pines Boulevard.  'PPPD is requesting that drivers please stay out of the area; cars attempting to stop along the roadway will be directed to move.' According to WPLG, cars were also backed up for 18 miles on a stretch of road heading out of the Florida Keys. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue posted footage of teams working to extinguish the blaze on the ground and from the sky. Fire crews are seen here on the scene on Sunday night as the fire continued to burn As of Sunday night the blaze was 20 percent contained Images captured at the scene show a large expanse of the wetlands ablaze, with thick smoke billowing up from the fire Teams are seen here on the ground in residential areas as the fire continued to expand on Sunday Large plumes of smoke can be seen here over the Everglades as the fire burned They said the fire started and was quickly spread west, burning more than 150 acres and caused some roads to shut down before it expanded.  A post to social media added: 'Residents and commuters are urged to avoid these areas as crews continue suppression operations.  'If smoky conditions impact your area, individuals with respiratory conditions should remain indoors, keep windows and doors closed, and set their air conditioning to recirculate indoor air.' Fire crews are continuing to set up stages throughout the area as precautions, WPBF reported.  The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.