VIDEO: Two fires in the Florida Everglades have merged into one, sending dense smoke across South Florida and prompting safety warnings from officials. By Wednesday, the blaze had burned more than 19,000 acres, and the smoke spreading across the southern part of the state forced Broward County officials to issue an air quality alert. A person who was out riding her bike in Weston Wednesday morning told WTVJ it looked like the area was covered by fog, but a distinct smell indicated that the haze in the air was actually smoke. “It was definitely hard to ride today,” Daniela Eusse said. “It was very hard to breathe this morning, like I had to come off the ride. My heart was through the roof. It looked like fog, but you could smell it. Itโs not fog; it’s fire.”
The first blaze, which has been dubbed the Mile Marker 39 Fire, was detected Monday. The Florida Fire Service said it had burned to 1,600 acres by Monday afternoon. The blaze combined with the smaller Sawgrass Fire Wednesday and was up to 19,200 acres. The National Weather Service notified Broward County residents that an air quality alert was in effect Wednesday morning as smoke was forecasted to drift eastward across I-75 and toward more populated areas. Hazy conditions were also seen in Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale, where fire officials said they had received several calls regarding thick smoke in neighborhoods.
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Chief Stephen Gollan told WPTV the smoke could present health concerns for some people. He said he would advise people with respiratory issues and other pre-existing conditions to stay inside and make sure their windows are closed. “For everyone else, there’s no harm at all,” Gollan said. “It’s no different than sitting by a campfire.” The NWS’s air quality alert will be in effect until Thursday morning. As of Wednesday afternoon, officials said no structures were at risk. Firefighters continued to work to put out the large blaze.
