The large brush fire in the Florida Everglades that's burning for a third straight day has expanded, but officials have contained most of the blaze.
At least 42,000 acres were burning west of U.S. 27 and north of Interstate 75, officials with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said Wednesday evening. The fire was 75 percent contained.
Smoke from the fire led to a short-lived closure of Alligator Alley westbound from US-27 in Broward County and eastbound from State Road 29 in Collier County on Tuesday.
Officials said the fire, which started Sunday night, received significant rainfall Wednesday.
UPDATE: #SawgrassFire is 42,000 acres and 75% contained.@FLForestService and Florida Highway Patrol continuing to monitor wildfire, which has received significant rainfall today.
— FL Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services (@FDACS) June 26, 2019
Follow @FFS_Everglades for latest, and @FLHSMV for I-75 & US-27 impact. pic.twitter.com/1IzurcW7mO
Officials said the fire started with a lightning strike.
