The Max Road Fire is the largest wildfire burning in South Florida and is threatening nearby communities as extreme drought grips most of the state.<\/p>\n
Published May 11, 2026 11:42 AM CDT\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
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Updated May 11, 2026 11:42 AM CDT\n\t\t<\/p>\n
\n\t\tPlumes of smoke darkened the sky over the Florida Everglades as a fast-spreading brush fire ignited on May 10 and burned more than 5,000 acres as of May 11. Fire crews rushed to contain the fires.\n\t<\/p>\n
\n\tNew wildfires have ignited across Florida, including one that is threatening neighborhoods near Miami<\/a> as extreme drought grips large areas of the state.\n<\/p>\n \n\tThe Max Road Fire<\/a> was the largest wildfire burning in South Florida as of Monday morning, having burned 4,800 acres with only 20% contained, according to the Florida Forest Service. The fire is largely burning within the Everglades but has crept close to residential areas roughly 20 miles northwest of Miami.\n<\/p>\n \n\t“Multiple agencies – including Florida Forest Service, Pembroke Pines, BSO and Miami-Dade – are working in conjunction to ensure that the fire is not a hazard to local communities,” the Pembroke Pines Police Department<\/a> said.\n<\/p>\n \n\tSmoke from the Max Road Fire on May 10, 2026. (Facebook\/Pembroke Pines Police Department)\n<\/p>\n \n\tNo evacuations are in place, but nearby residents are being urged to monitor the situation closely and be prepared to leave if an order is issued.\n<\/p>\n \n\t“Fire-Rescue has setup along the perimeter of the Holly Lake community to monitor the fire in the event that it approaches Pembroke Pines,” the department said.\n<\/p>\n \n\tFirefighters in a residential area near the Max Road Fire on May 10, 2026. (Facebook\/Pembroke Pines Police Department)\n<\/p>\n \n\tA second fire has broken out farther south near Homestead<\/a>. The 172 Ave Fire has burned 210 acres and stood at 30% contained as of Monday morning.\n<\/p>\n \n\tSmoke from both fires could drift over nearby areas, reducing air quality<\/a> for communities not directly threatened by the flames.\n<\/p>\n \n\t\tIn the hardest-hit areas from South Carolina through southern Georgia and into Florida, we\u2019re talking about exceptional drought, so the numbers are staggering.\n\t<\/p>\n \n\tWorsening drought is the driving force behind the elevated fire risk. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 82% of Florida is experiencing extreme drought<\/a>, including the Everglades area where the Max Road Fire ignited.\n<\/p>\n