Updated Jun 27, 2019 - Energy & Climate

Huge Florida Everglades wildfire billows smoke amid hot, dry conditions

Rebecca Falconer

A Florida Forest Service picture of the Everglades fire. — Photo: Florida Forest Service/Twitter

A smoky wildfire in the Everglades has expanded and continued to burn for a third straight day, but officials said Wednesday they've largely contained it.

Details: Florida Department of Agriculture tweeted the wildfire was burning across 42,000 acres of state-managed land, largely through sawgrass west of the city of Weston. But it's 75% contained after a significant amount of rainfall in the region, the department said.

The big picture: Smoky conditions caused by the blaze prompted authorities to issue a health alert, per CBS Miami. It also caused a section of Interstate 75 through Alligator Alley to temporarily close on Tuesday, according to NBC Miami. The Agriculture Department said in a statement that lightning started the wildfire Sunday evening, as record temperatures struck southern Florida.

The blaze has been burning during an unusually warm week in Florida in which Miami-Dade set a new record of 95°F at Miami International Airport, per the National Weather Service.

This article has been updated with new details, including on the fire being mostly contained.

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Huge Florida Everglades wildfire billows smoke amid hot, dry conditions

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