Two fires caused by lightning are spreading in the Everglades

Two wildfires sparked by lightning are keeping the Everglades National Park in Homestead, Florida, on alert this Sunday, with over 9,500 acres devastated and crews from the U.S. Forest Service working to contain the flames.

According to reported by El Nuevo Herald, the first of the fires, called "Chipmunk Fire," was detected on Friday southwest of Shark Valley and is the larger of the two: it had burned 9,232 acres this Sunday with only 30% containment.

The second fire, named "Vulture Fire," was reported on Saturday east of Shark Valley Tram Road, also caused by a lightning strike.

This second focus is primarily advancing towards the southeast and has received some rainfall that has aided in its control. As of the end of this Sunday, it affected 286 acres and was contained at 60%.

The flames of the "Chipmunk" remain active on the northern and eastern flanks, complicating firefighting efforts in that area.

As a safety measure, the National Park Service issued an emergency closure order in Shark Valley that includes the visitor center, trails, parking areas, and the Shark Valley Tram Road, one of the most frequented routes in the park.

Firefighters are applying direct extinguishing techniques on the edges of the fire and using indirect strategies to halt its spread, with trucks and aircraft deployed in the area.

The smoke from both fires is visible from Main Park Road and Highway 41, although authorities do not anticipate closures on the latter route.

These two fires add to an exceptionally active wildfire season in Florida during 2026. The park had already experienced the "Highway 41 Fire" in April, covering more than 6,500 acres; the "Max Road Fire" in May, which spanned 5,650 acres in Miami-Dade and Broward counties; and the "Coptic Fire" in June, affecting 4,793 acres.

Overall, Florida recorded more than 2,600 wildfires and over 175,000 acres of forests destroyed since the beginning of 2026, according to data from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC).

Authorities have warned that they will mobilize additional resources if the situation requires it. The closure of Shark Valley will remain in effect until firefighters are able to control both fires.