A vicious wildfire in the Florida Everglades near State Road 29 and Interstate 75 has burned at least 25,000 acres.
According to reports, crews are battling two separate wildfires in Collier County.
The fires were named “Grand Fire” and “National Fire,” as they continued burning within Big Cypress National Preserve.
Footage below:
🔥FLORIDA EVERGLADES ON FIRE!🔥
— Florida Storm Chasers (@FLStormChasers_) February 24, 2026
Take a look at this footage caught by Florida Storm Chaser Chase showing the wildfires burning through Big Cypress National Preserve last night! pic.twitter.com/uvmhhHB6NN
WOW! The National Fire in southwest Florida is getting very close to impacting I-75. It is now a 25,000+ acre fire and continues to spread in the Florida Everglades. This is about 25-30 minutes east of Naples, FL. @fox35orlando pic.twitter.com/bRFOw6OUjE
— Noah Bergren (@NbergWX) February 24, 2026
CBS12 shared further:
The brush fire in Collier County, which started Monday morning, has grown to approximately 25,000 acres as of Tuesday. CNN reports that concerns are rising due to the fire’s proximity to Alligator Alley, which could potentially affect drivers. Continued drought and dry air are keeping “enhanced fire behavior” a concern for South Florida, the National Weather Service (NWS) said Tuesday.
Traffic cameras along Alligator Alley show large plumes of smoke rising above a dense grove of trees.
Drivers are urged to use caution in the area.
The wildlife continues to cause visibility issues on Wednesday afternoon. Traffic cameras show dense plumes of smoke on I-75, near Miles City.
“A massive wildfire in Big Cypress National Preserve is 0% containment, threatening to spread smoke across southwest Florida and beyond,” Sarasota Herald-Tribune wrote.
A massive wildfire in Big Cypress National Preserve is 0% containment, threatening to spread smoke across southwest Florida and beyond. https://t.co/TGY2IAEr0b
— Sarasota Herald-Tribune (@HeraldTribune) February 25, 2026
Additional photos below:
BIG CYPRESS FIRE: A massive brush fire in Collier County’s Big Cypress National Preserve is causing smoky conditions on Alligator Alley, affecting visibility and travel. https://t.co/1BmbUOhPlM
— WPLG Local 10 News (@WPLGLocal10) February 25, 2026
Talk about incredible.
— Mike Gagliardi (FL Weather) (@Mike__Gagliardi) February 24, 2026
Here is an incredible shot of the massive 25,000 acre wildfire in the Florida Everglades, the National Fire, as taken from a plane.
It’s one of the largest wildfires in the US this year thus far. pic.twitter.com/NuIzWuQOLZ
Daily Dispatch has more:
The blaze is chewing through dried brush near State Road 29 and shows no signs of containment.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the “Grand Fire” had burned under five acres while the “National Fire” had burned 25,000 acres, according to officials.
Chase Allbritton, a hurricane chaser, shared drone video that he took of the fire with 7News.
“It wasn’t just dry, it was fairly windy, which is what has allowed the fire to spread. But even today, though, it’s not as windy; it’s very dry, and it’s allowing it to spread still today,” said Allbritton.
Forecasters say the smoke from the double fires could eventually reduce visibility along Alligator Alley and Tamiami Trail.
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