What is the name and location of the wildfire?
As of March 18, 2026, the National Fire was burning within the Big Cypress National Preserve in southern Florida. (1)
The wildfire was located south of Interstate 75 and east of State Road 29, with nearby references including the Everglades region and the area surrounding Alligator Alley. The fire zone spanned remote wildland areas where dry conditions and high spread potential continued to influence fire behavior. (2)
Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire?
The cities and areas affected by the National Fire included:
- Big Cypress National Preserve
- Everglades region
- Key Largo
- Ochopee
What is the current containment status of the wildfire?
As of March 18, 2026, the National Fire was 100% contained and had burned approximately 35,027 acres. (3)
Fire crews on the ground and in the air worked to slow the spread, and additional firefighting resources were requested to support suppression efforts. Weather conditions and dry fuels continued to contribute to moderate to high fire activity.
Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?
All evacuation orders and alerts have now been lifted.
How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?
Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.
- Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
- Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
- Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke.
- Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
- Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
As of March 18, 2026, this fire is 100% contained.
