State-run fire in Big Cypress, Florida destroys Interstate 75’s Alligator Alley
A 25,000-acre wildfire is burning in the Big Cypress National Preserve south of Alligator Alley on Interstate 75 in South Florida. Fires occur in dry conditions
Firefighters are working to extinguish a wildfire in South Florida that has grown to nearly 25,000 acres on Wednesday, February 25th. The wildfire burned near the state’s mass detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz, plunging the area into haze.
The fire, which remained 0% contained as of February 25, was discovered on federal land south of Interstate 75 about 32 miles east of Naples, Florida, on February 22, according to Big Cypress National Preserve. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified the fire as a human-caused fire.
Heavy smoke is creating dangerous driving conditions along Alligator Alley, a roughly 130-mile stretch of Interstate 75 from Naples, Fla., to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as firefighters try to extinguish the blaze, which has been dubbed the National Fire. The National Weather Service in Miami warned motorists that smoke had reduced visibility to near zero and that southerly winds were continuing to push the smoke across the highway.
Local officials said the change in winds could also increase smoke in other areas nearby, including State Route 29 and Tamiami Trail. Big Cypress National Preserve noted in its Feb. 25 update that smoke impacts may increase in these and surrounding areas during the night and early morning hours.
“Reduced visibility and temporary or intermittent road closures may continue to occur,” according to Big Cypress National Preserve. The fire could cause smoke to spread as far north as Naples, Glades and Hendry counties in the coming days.
The fire was also burning near the Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center in the Big Cypress National Preserve. Stephanie Hartman, director of public affairs for the Florida Department of Emergency Management, told USA TODAY there is no threat to the facility at this time.
“The fire is located 20 miles west of the facility and is burning in the opposite direction,” Hartman said in a Feb. 25 statement. “Increased humidity levels are speeding recovery and suppression of the fire.”
She said the department is in contact with the National Park Service and local and state emergency personnel and will notify within 24 hours if a facility needs to be evacuated. Hartman added that evacuation procedures have been “thoroughly implemented and can be implemented quickly and efficiently if necessary.”
Alligator Alcatraz has been the focus of the Trump administration’s controversial immigration crackdown and faces intense scrutiny and claims of secrecy over its operations, with reports of inhumane conditions and an ongoing legal battle. The facility was built in eight days on a runway that once served as a major airport, and is expected to open in July 2025.
National fires break out amid drought conditions
The fire remained active on February 25 as “drought conditions continue and widespread frost-dead vegetation continues to create an unusually heavy and highly receptive fuel bed,” according to Big Cypress National Preserve.
Ana Torres Vazquez, a meteorologist with the Miami Weather Service, told the Naples Daily News and The News-Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, that dry conditions are expected to begin on February 19 and last through May 31.
The biggest challenges in fighting fires are drought conditions and dry vegetation. Michelle Lewis, the public information officer in charge of the fire, said the arctic explosion earlier this month killed vegetation that was now being used as fuel for the fire. She also noted that it was still early in Florida’s wildfire season.
Collier County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Andrea Jones said the U.S. Wildland Fire Department will be the lead investigator on the fire. The group is comprised of wildlife fire management across the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Aviation Administration, Wildlife Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Authorities warn motorists about poor visibility due to smoke
Erika Hoopes, a spokeswoman for Big Cypress National Preserve, said the fire had grown to about 15,000 acres by the time firefighters began their defense efforts, adding 9,000 acres to the fire’s path to contain it. As of 2 p.m. local time, no property damage had been reported and authorities did not anticipate any damage, Hoopes said.
The fire has put Florida’s Big Cypress, Jerome, Copeland, Ochopee, Everglades City and communities along the Tamiami Trail on alert. Due to the fire, Florida Highway Patrol troopers monitored the scene from mile marker 65 to 85 along Interstate 75 in Collier County and alerted nearby residents.
“All lanes are open at this time, but wildfire activity and smoke could significantly reduce road visibility,” Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Lt. Greg Bueno said in a news release Monday morning. “Motorists traveling through the area are asked to use caution, reduce speed, and monitor for changing conditions.”
The city of Bueno urged drivers to reduce distractions, use wipers and defroster, and avoid passing cars.
Protecting more than 729,000 acres throughout South Florida, Big Cypress National Preserve is one of the largest protected areas in the United States. It is home to more than 350 bird species and 40 mammal species, including the black bear and the endangered Florida panther.
Contributor: Kim Luciani, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida
