A fast-growing wildfire has burned over 5,000 acres in west Miami-Dade County, and shows no signs of slowing down.

The Highway 41 Fire, first reported on the evening of April 27, is located south of Tamiami Trail and east of Shark Valley in the Everglades, according to the National Park Service.

Fire officials are recommending people in affected areas pay close attention to directions in case the fire comes close enough for evacuations, though no orders had been issued across the vast area Wednesday morning.

The park has closed down the area “between the L-67 Canal on the west and L-31 Canal on the east from U.S. Route 41 south to several miles north of Mahogany Hammock.” The closure includes all parking lots, facilities and waterways within the designated areas, and also affected several businesses – Coopertown Airboats, Safari Park and Gator Park.

Smoke from the fire could result in “reduced visibility and lower local air quality” in nearby areas, according to the NWS. If you’re especially sensitive to particle pollution, the agency continued, you should consider spending less time outdoors and reducing your activity level.

Where smoke is being detected in South Florida

According to the NPS, smoke impacts are expected along U.S. Route 41, and road closures could be implemented if conditions worsen. Motorists are encouraged to exercise caution by reducing speed and using low-beam headlights if visibility is reduced. They should also allow for extra travel time, be alert for emergency personnel and equipment on the roads and monitor for local traffic updates and emergency alerts.

Photos show impact of wildfires across Georgia and Florida

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Firefighters are battling wildfires in two southeastern states, prompting officials in one to issue its first ever burn ban, authorities said on April 22. The blazes, created by “extreme drought,” are burning across parts of southern Georgia and northeast Florida, forcing road closures and destroying homes and buildings in their path, officials said.

The Florida Forest Service works to contain an April 18, 2026, wildfire in Nassau County, Fla.

Florida wildfire evacuation trigger points

According to the NPS, residents in the area should be aware of the potential fire impacts and trigger points for evacuation status using the Ready, Set, Go model:

Ready – Be aware of wildfire in the area. Have an action plan in place.

Set – Stay informed, monitor local conditions via web alerts and local media. Prepare a go bag and be ready to evacuate if conditions deteriorate.

Go – Follow directions, secure home, evacuate early.

Recommendation based on current fire activity:

Go Status: Coopertown Airboats, Gator Park, Safari Park, all airboat trails east of Safari Park

Set Status: Osceola Camp

Ready Status: Shark Valley, Miccosukee Reserve Area, Alligator Alcatraz

Recommendation should the fire cross Coopertown Airboats:

Set Status: Osceola Camp

Ready Status: Shark Valley, Miccosukee Reserve Area, Alligator Alcatraz

Recommendation should the fire cross Blue Shanty/U.S. Route 41:

Go Status: Osceola Camp, any camps north of U.S. Route 41

Set Status: Shark Valley

Recommendation should the fire cross L-67 Canal:

Set Status: Miccosukee Reserve Area, Alligator Alcatraz

Recommendation should the fire cross Shark Valley:

Go Status: Miccosukee Reserve Area, Alligator Alcatraz

Map of wildfires currently burning across FloridaMap of air quality across FloridaFlorida counties currently under burn bansStay informed. Get weather alerts via text

Sarah Perkel is a South Florida Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network’s Florida Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida wildfire in Miami-Dade closes parts of the Everglades