A massive wildfire continues to burn in southern Florida amid expanding drought conditions in the state. The National Fire burning near Naples forced the closure of a portion of a national preserve and an interstate. The fire has charred more than 30,000 acres, making it Florida’s biggest wildfire of 2026.
Officials in Florida shut down a section of Interstate 75, also referred to as Alligator Alley, due to dense smoke and poor visibility caused by the fire, which was 0% contained as of early Thursday. Local fire managers today transferred their command of the fire to the Southern Area Gray Team, Type 1 Interagency Incident Management Team (IMT), one of the highest-level wildfire management teams in the U.S.
Interstate 75 (Alligator Alley) is in the process of being closed between SR-29 (Exit 80) and US-27 (Exit 23) due to poor visibility/dense smoke from the National Fire. Seek alternative routes! @MyFDOT_SWFL@CollierEM@ReadyBrowardhttps://t.co/iuQr4U3D21pic.twitter.com/OpD31mPj6e
— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) February 26, 2026
“As additional non-local resources arrive, some local resources will be released, making them available to respond to future initial attack incidents,” explained the National Park Service. “The incoming fire team will work closely with local fire management and Big Cypress National Preserve staff to ensure continuity and sustained response. Public and firefighter safety remain the highest priorities.”…