Florida's Alligator Alley Wildfire Continues To Burn, But Doesn't Threaten Homes

A brush fire along the north side of Alligator Alley in Broward County had burned about 3,000 acres by Wednesday afternoon but was not threatening homes or highway safety, state fire officials said.

The fire, which began several days ago, flared briefly Tuesday evening, prompting the Florida Highway Patrol to close Alligator Alley for several hours. The fire continued burning Wednesday about a mile from the road but did not affect visibility for drivers.

"We're watching it in the event that it does pick up and you get firebrands possibly flying over Alligator Alley to the south side, but with the winds like they are right now, we don't feel that's going to happen," said Bob Rehr, spokesman for the State Division of Forestry.

Rehr said fire officials don't think the fire was the result of arson, but perhaps lightning or an airboat. He added that officials are keeping a close watch on the weather forecast and hoping for rain. He added that the fire, which burned mostly sawgrass, did not seriously damage the burned area.

"You can burn that off and a year later it's back to the same as it was prior to the fire," he said.