Crews continue battling Everglades fire; damage set at 57,645 acres

Crews continue battling Everglades fire; damage set at 57,645 acres

11 June 2011

USA — Fire crews worked to contain a large brush fire in the Everglades as a drop in humidity led to more smoke in the air in West Miami-Dade.

So far on Saturday, the fire had burned 57,645 acres and is 60 percent contained, said Scott Peterich, a spokesman for the Florida Division of Forestry. Krome Avenue, between Tamiami Trail and Okeechobee Road, remained closed as crews set controlled fires along the L-67 canal in an attempt to deny the fire additional fuel.

Peterich said winds had lessened by Saturday and the smoke in the air should diminish as the humidity increases in the later afternoon.

The fire started last Sunday, presumably sparked by ATV or motorbike riders in the area. At mid-week, the blaze threatened homes at the Miccosukee reservation, but crews managed to fight back the flames.

The forestry division is working with crews from Miami-Dade Fire-Rescue, the Everglades National Park and Seminole and Miccosukee tribes.

24. November 2017/by GFMCadmin