A wildfire ignited in the northeastern corner of Everglades National Park on the evening of April 27th has grown to 2,500 acres as of midday April 28th, prompting park closures and public safety warnings across a wide stretch of South Florida.
The fire, dubbed the Highway 41 Fire for its location south of U.S. Route 41 (Tamiami Trail) and east of Shark Valley, is burning through sawgrass with active spread moving to the south and west. The U.S. Wildland Fire Service responded the night of the 27th with ground and aviation resources, deploying direct extinguishment and indirect confinement strategies to limit early spread.
Firefighting crews are now focusing on securing containment boundaries using direct, indirect, and firing operations as conditions allow.
Closures in Effect
Everglades National Park has closed the area between the L-67 Canal to the west and the L-31 Canal to the east, extending from U.S. Route 41 south to several miles north of Mahogany Hammock. All parking lots, facilities, and navigable waterways within that zone are included in the closure.
Three private businesses along the Tamiami Trail have also been shut down due to active fire behavior and predicted dry weather: Coopertown Airboats, Safari Park, and Gator Park.
Smoke is expected to impact U.S. Route 41, and temporary road closures may be implemented if conditions worsen. Motorists are advised to reduce speed, use low-beam headlights in smoky conditions, allow extra travel time, and stay alert for emergency personnel operating along roadways.
Evacuation Guidance
Residents near the fire area should familiarize themselves with the Ready, Set, Go evacuation model. The “Ready” phase calls for awareness and an action plan. “Set” means staying informed and preparing a go bag. “Go” means following official directions and evacuating early.
Current conditions and any additional closures will be posted on the Everglades National Park website. Residents and visitors are encouraged to monitor web alerts and local media for updates.
