BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — Firefighters across South Florida are battling a fast-moving wildfire that has exploded in size, burning more than 11,000 acres in Broward and Miami-Dade counties as of Monday afternoon.
The largest blaze, known as the Max Road Fire, ignited Sunday in the Florida Everglades and quickly spread through dry brush. Officials say the fire was about 60 percent contained Monday, but crews remained on high alert as drought conditions continue to fuel dangerous fire behavior.
For people living nearby, the fire has been hard to ignore — even overnight.
“So last night, sort of sleeping with one eye open,” reporter Reid Binion said while speaking with residents close to the flames.
“Pretty much, yes,” replied Audrey Gonzalez, who lives near the fire line. She said she stepped outside multiple times during the night to make sure the fire wasn’t moving toward her home.
Others described conditions that felt both urgent and unsettling.
A massive wildfire burning through the Everglades has grown past 11,000 acres, forcing firefighters to battle flames from the ground and air while residents in Broward and Miami-Dade stay prepared to evacuate amid dry, dangerous conditions. (CNN Newsource)
“We could hear it crackling. That’s how bad it was,” said Roxanne Gill, a West Broward resident. “I had to hose down my house. Everyone was hosing down all their trailers before the fire department came.”
Much of South Florida is dealing with severe to extreme drought, leaving vegetation dry and highly combustible. Fire officials said those conditions allowed the Max Road Fire to grow rapidly in its first 24 hours.
Firefighters have been attacking the flames from the ground and the air, using helicopters and aircraft to dump water along the fire’s edges while crews cut containment lines below. Police and fire-rescue units were also staged in nearby communities, ready to respond if conditions worsened.
Emergency officials stressed there was no immediate threat to homes, but urged residents to remain alert and prepared.
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That message has already sunk in for some families.
“We’re keeping an eye on things. We’ve already set aside some things in case we have to leave,” said Vilma Rodriguez, who also lives near the fire.
Others said preparation — and a bit of hope — are all they can manage right now.
“We’re just going to have to keep watch and do what we can to protect our house and pray that the wind stays to the west,” Gonzalez said.
Crews are expected to remain on scene as containment efforts continue, with officials warning that wildfire risks remain high as long as dry conditions persist. Residents are being encouraged to monitor updates and follow guidance from local authorities as the situation evolves.