Emergency responders in South Florida are working around the clock to control a massive blaze that has consumed more than 25,000 acres within Big Cypress National Preserve as of Wednesday. The fire is located approximately 20 miles from the controversial immigration detention center dubbed ‘Alligator Alcatraz.’
Smoke and reduced visibility from the flames have forced authorities to temporarily shut down lanes along Interstate 75, the major highway known as Alligator Alley that links Florida’s Atlantic and Gulf coasts through the expansive Everglades region. Such fires typically occur during the state’s dry winter months.
Despite the fire’s proximity, the immigration detention facility faces no immediate danger, according to Stephanie Hartman, communications director for the Florida Department of Emergency Management.
‘The fire is situated 20 miles to the west of the facility and is burning in the opposite direction. Thanks to the increased humidity levels, we are seeing faster fire recovery and containment,’ she said.
The detention center, which began operations last July at a remote airstrip located deep within the Everglades, has drawn significant attention amid the current administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. The facility houses individuals facing federal deportation proceedings.
Hartman confirmed that emergency officials maintain constant communication with firefighting teams and would receive 24-hour advance notice if evacuating the detention center becomes necessary. She emphasized that evacuation plans have been thoroughly practiced to ensure rapid deployment.
When pressed about the current number of people held at the facility, Hartman did not provide an immediate response.
State authorities initially announced that ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ could accommodate 3,000 detainees when it opened in July 2025, with potential expansion to house 5,000 individuals. Court proceedings held in Fort Myers during late January revealed the facility currently holds approximately 1,500 people.
A powerful cold front that moved through the region Sunday introduced dry atmospheric conditions, prompting the National Weather Service to issue red flag fire warnings throughout much of Florida, explained Anthony Reynes, a senior meteorologist with the Miami office.
Rising humidity levels on Wednesday helped improve conditions that had been feeding the blaze, Reynes noted. However, he warned that southerly winds combined with parched vegetation and soil continue to create favorable conditions for additional fires.
Weather forecasters predict minimal rainfall for the remainder of the week, meaning the severe drought affecting the entire state will persist, he added.
