Firefighters work to contain two massive fires burning in the Everglades

Michael Butler, Miami Herald on Aug 23, 2026

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Two large fires at Homestead’s Everglades National Park have gotten the attention of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service’s firefighters.

One of the fires, the Chipmunk fire, was initially reported on Friday and is two miles away from Shark Valley. The fire was caused by lightning and is across an estimated 9,232 acres and was 30% contained, as of Sunday.

The Vulture fire was also caused by lighting and reported on Saturday. The fire is located east of Shark Valley Tram Road and was across 286 acres and was 60% contained, as of Sunday.

An emergency closure order is in effect throughout the Shark Valley area to protect resources and allow firefighters to contain the fires.

Firefighters are containing the fires by using direct suppression along the edges of the fire and indirect strategies to keep the fires from spreading. Large crews of firefighters have fire trucks and aircraft at their disposal. More resources will be used if necessary.

The fire is active on the north and east sides of the Chipmunk fire. The Vulture fire is active mostly to the southeast and it has gotten some precipitation.

While smoke from both fires is visible from Main Park Road and U.S. Highway 41, there are no closures expected for U.S. Highway 41.

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