Highway 41 Fire threatens structures as wildfire smoke could impact parts of Miami-Dade, Broward

A large wildfire burning inside Everglades National Park in South Florida is continuing to rage, and officials are warning that flames are now starting to threaten structures and smoke could soon billow into parts of Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

According to the latest information from the National Park Service (NPS), the Highway 41 Fire in west Miami-Dade has grown to a staggering 9,151 acres and is 20% contained.

It's burning in the northeastern corner of Everglades National Park and is located south of U.S. Route 41 (Tamiami Trail) and east of Shark Valley.

Flames are visible from Tamiami Trail as well as parts of Florida's Turnpike, and the orange glow seen early Wednesday morning is also lighting up the thick plumes of black smoke that have been filling the sky.

The NPS has closed parts of Everglades National Park, and that includes several businesses in the area like Coopertown Airboats, Safari Park and Gator Park.

According to the latest information from officials, at least eight structures are now being threatened by the Highway 41 Fire.

Tamiami Trail remains open at this time, but officials are urging drivers to use caution in the area, reduce speeds and use low-beam headlights in smoky conditions.

It's also advised to allow for extra travel time and be alert of emergency crews in the area who are continuing to try and extinguish the fire.

Officials also warned that road closures may be implemented if conditions in the area worsen.

Businesses owners nearby share how they are impacted by the ongoing blaze

For the past two days, Tomas Rodriguez, a tour guide at Coopertown Airboats, has been sitting idle. The business is closed because a large brush fire in the Everglades is burning along their trail.

"You can't go out there, you're shut down for a couple of days," Rodriguez said. "You have to wait for the smoke to clear, and after that, we'll be able to go out".

The fire was further back from Tamiami Trail on Wednesday, but it had reached some of the businesses on Tuesday.

"It's something that is always going to happen during this time of the year. It's part of the process here in the Everglades," Rodriguez said. "It kills dead vegetation, then it just brings back the new Florida".

Meanwhile, tourists like Banu Teja and his friends, who were hoping to take an airboat ride, are now making other plans.

"We feel sad, but that's how it goes," said Banu Tena, a tourist. "Everything does not go as planned".

As firefighters battle the blaze, tour guides like Rodriguez are also keeping a close eye on the Highway 41 fire, another issue they are now dealing with.

"Besides us being shut down, this season has been one of the driest in over 15 to 20 years, I believe," Rodriguez said. "There's just places out there that you can't go, and now with the fire coming out of those places that are dried up, it just picks up the fire a little bit more".

The owner of Coopertown Airboats says they are monitoring the fire and are in contact with park rangers. He is hoping they will be back open tomorrow. They are giving refunds to those who bought tickets and will not be able to come on a later date.

More details of the Highway 41 Fire will be posted on the NPS website.