New Everglades wildfire adds to Florida blaze crisis amid heat and drought

A new wildfire dubbed 'Atlantic' has erupted north of Miami, consuming 180 acres (72 hectares) of the Everglades and joining a surge of blazes across Florida fueled by extreme heat and drought. The fire, located in Broward County west of Fort Lauderdale, remains 0% contained, according to the Florida Forest Service Source: Infobae.

The 'Atlantic' fire

The flames are burning vegetation within the protected Everglades ecosystem, home to crocodiles, panthers, and alligators. Authorities report no immediate threat to homes or businesses, but the fire is near the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise Source: Diario Libre. The area is under a 'much drier' weather pattern, with the National Weather Service warning of dangerous heat indices reaching 105–110°F (40–43°C) Source: Infobae.

Drought and heat

These conditions follow three earlier fires in Miami-Dade County that scorched 22,195 acres (8,982 hectares). Nearly 59% of Florida is experiencing severe to exceptional drought, prompting water shortage alerts in cities like Miami Source: Diario Libre.

Broader wildfire surge

Nationally, wildfires have burned 70% more land than the same period in 2025, with over 35,000 fires affecting 2.94 million acres (1.9 million hectares) this year, according to the National Interagency Fire Center Source: Infobae. The Everglades blaze underscores how a warming climate and prolonged dryness are intensifying the wildfire season across the U.S.