North Lauderdale Brush Fire: What We Know So Far

A fast-moving brush fire in western Broward County drew a major response and briefly shut down part of I-75, and officials say containment has since improved. Here is what we know so far.

There is no search result that specifically confirms a brush fire at 5951 NW 45th Ave in North Lauderdale, but the closest matching reports describe a large Everglades fire northwest of Fort Lauderdale, according to the sources reviewed. One report said the fire near Mile Marker 38/39 north of Alligator Alley had burned thousands of acres and was being monitored by the Florida Forest Service and Florida Highway Patrol, while another said the western Broward blaze had grown to about 45,000 acres and was 30% contained at one point.

Later reporting said the fire, which began as two separate brush fires, was fully contained after burning nearly 50,000 acres, according to the Florida Forest Service. Officials also said the burned land was nearly twice the size of the entire Disney World Resort complex.

Smoke from the fire reduced visibility across parts of Broward County and western suburbs of Fort Lauderdale, prompting a special weather statement warning that visibility could drop to 3 miles or less where smoke was densest, according to the National Weather Service. The Florida Forest Service said the fire was not impacting properties as of late Wednesday morning, and reports said there were no confirmed injuries, fatalities or identified cause in the information reviewed.

Florida Highway Patrol said I-75 reopened after smoke reduced visibility to zero and forced a closure in both directions. Gene Madden, a spokesman with the forestry division, said the blaze was 75 percent contained after a half-inch of rain helped crews, according to the agency.

The response involved the Florida Forest Service and Florida Highway Patrol, with crews monitoring conditions and traffic impacts. That level of response suggests a large wildfire with public safety and roadway concerns, rather than a confirmed structure fire at the listed address.

Dispatch records show one similar brush fire incident in North Lauderdale in the past six months.

Officials have not announced a confirmed cause or suspect, and no arson investigation has been reported in the materials reviewed. Day.News will continue to update this story as officials release more information.

Related: Brush Fire Ignites Near Residential Area at 5951 NW 45th Ave in North Lauderdale