Highway 41 fire grows to 8,600 acres, threatens structures in west Miami-Dade

The Highway 41 fire in Everglades National Park has grown to more than 8,600 acres and remains 0% contained, according to the latest local reporting and official park updates.

NBC Miami reported that eight structures are now threatened, though no evacuation orders have been issued and no injuries have been reported. CBS Miami also reported that flames are beginning to threaten structures as the fire continues to spread south of U.S. 41 and east of Shark Valley.

The fire first appeared on the evening of April 27. An official National Park Service update on April 28 said it had reached 2,500 acres and was prompting closures of park areas and nearby businesses. By April 29, Local 10 reported the blaze had expanded to more than 6,600 acres overnight, and NBC Miami later put the total at over 8,600 acres.

Closures remain in place across part of the park, including the area between the L-67 Canal and L-31 Canal, along with related parking lots, facilities and navigable waterways. Coopertown Airboats, Safari Park and Gator Park have also been closed because of the fire and smoke conditions.

The latest jump in acreage and the new structure threat mark a significant escalation from the earlier reports, and the situation is still evolving as crews try to slow the fire’s spread.