Florida fire near 'Alligator Alcatraz' grows to nearly 25,000 acres [View all]

Source: USA Today

Updated Feb. 25, 2026, 10:21 p.m. ET


Fire crews are battling a wildfire in South Florida that has grown to nearly 25,000 acres on Wednesday, Feb. 25, as the blaze burned near the state's mass detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz" and caused hazy conditions for surrounding areas.

The fire, which remais 0% contained as of Feb. 25, was discovered on Feb. 22 on federal lands south of Interstate 75, about 20 miles east of Naples, Florida, according to the Big Cypress National Preserve. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified the blaze as human-caused.

Firefighters were trying to contain the blaze, which has been named the National Fire, as heavy smoke created dangerous driving conditions along Alligator Alley — an 80-mile stretch of Interstate 75 from Naples, Florida, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The National Weather Service in Miami warned motorists that the smoke was reducing visibility to near zero and that southerly winds continued to push smoke across the highway.

Local authorities said wind shifts may increase smoke in other nearby areas, including State Road 29 and the Tamiami Trail. In an update on Feb. 25, the Big Cypress National Preserve noted that smoke impacts may increase in these areas and surrounding communities overnight and early morning hours.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/02/25/florida-wildfire-big-cypress-national-preserve-alligator-alcatraz/88869182007/