NAPLES, FLORIDA — A rapidly growing wildfire in the Florida Everglades has expanded to 25,000 acres and remains 0% contained Tuesday morning, sending a massive smoke plume stretching more than 100 miles across South Florida and over the Florida Keys.
The blaze, referred to as the “National Fire,” is burning in the Big Cypress National Preserve, roughly 11 miles east of Naples near Alligator Alley, and has intensified quickly under dry conditions.
Fire Location: Big Cypress National Preserve
Satellite imagery shows the fire centered inland from Naples, within the protected wetlands of Big Cypress. Nearby communities include:
- Naples
- Marco Island
- Bonita Springs
- Immokalee
- Homestead
The fire’s proximity to Alligator Alley (I-75) has raised concerns for visibility and potential travel disruptions if smoke thickens near roadways.
Smoke Plume Visible From Space
One of the most striking aspects of this wildfire is the scale of the smoke plume.
Satellite imagery shows:
- A thick smoke stream extending south and southeast
- Smoke crossing the southern tip of the Florida Peninsula
- A visible plume stretching across the Florida Keys
- Haze detectable more than 100 miles away
The plume has drifted across areas including:
- Homestead
- Key Largo
- Marathon
- Key West
At this scale, smoke is large enough to be clearly visible on space-based satellite platforms.
0% Contained and Growing Fast
The fire has reportedly grown rapidly to 25,000 acres, with no containment established as of Tuesday morning…