In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, authorities managed to restore the flow of traffic in and out of the Florida Keys on Wednesday. This change came following a brush fire that forced the temporary closure of U.S. Highway 1, leading to hours of traffic congestion for those attempting to travel to or from this popular island chain.
The only other access route, Card Sound Road, remained closed due to ongoing fire hazards, as confirmed by Kristen Livengood, a representative for Monroe County. “I do not have an estimated time frame for when it will reopen,” Livengood communicated through email correspondence.
Later that afternoon, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office issued a notice that drivers should anticipate significant delays along an 18-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 1. This was due to fire departments intermittently halting traffic to carry out fire mitigation activities and aerial water drops. Florida City, situated around 40 miles southwest of Miami, experienced the onset of the blaze on Tuesday. It originated on the mainland side of Card Sound Road, and the subsequent smoky conditions necessitated a brief closure of U.S. 1, though it was reopened later that evening.
The region where the fire ignited is mostly rural, allowing it to spread without immediate restraint. Both Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service were actively involved in efforts to manage and contain the flames. They issued warnings for individuals with respiratory complications to stay indoors as a precaution.
Brush fires are relatively common in South Florida during its dry season, which has currently coincided with particularly windy conditions this week—factors that may have contributed to the fire’s spread. The area’s rainy season is slated to begin in mid-May, offering some hope of natural relief in the near future.
