3,500-acre brush fire in Broward might affect Alligator Alley travelers: NWS
Deep in the northwest corner of Everglades-covered Broward County, miles away from any residences or businesses, a 3,500-acre brush fire is burning Saturday thanks, in part, to drier conditions, officials say. The relatively nearby Alligator Alley is already seeing some smokey conditions, which might lower visibility into the night.
As of 6:21 p.m., the blaze, named the Buggy Fire, covered about 3,500 acres in the area of the Everglades and the Francis S. Taylor Management Area. It was at 0% containment, according to the Florida Forest Service website.
An agency spokesperson told the Miami Herald that forest service units are responding, and a plane crew is getting better views of the blaze.
Smoke from the fire is already lofting toward the south onto Alligator Alley, the National Weather Service said.
Meteorologist Sammy Habi told the Herald an alert or warning has not been issued because the amount of smoke is not yet causing any visibility issues.
However, that might change at night as weather conditions trap smoke close to the ground and thus lower visibility on Alligator Alley from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., Habi said.
“With the fire still being out there, it could reduce visibility overnight primarily on Alligator Alley,” he said.
The National Weather Service has advised that all of South Florida is experiencing “enhanced fire behavior,” meaning more blazes might crop up due to dry conditions and frequent breezy days.
“It doesn’t take much for a fire to develop in these conditions,” Habi said.
This story was originally published February 7, 2026 at 6:02 PM.
%20Cropped%20(2).jpg)