Massive Florida Wildfire Shuts Down Highway Amid Historic Drought

The National Fire has spread over 30,000 acres in Big Cypress National Forest near Naples as the state suffers its worst drought in 25 years.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A large wildfire in South Florida has forced the closure of a major interstate highway due to heavy smoke, as the state grapples with its worst drought conditions in over two decades. The National Fire has grown to over 30,604 acres in the Big Cypress National Forest near Naples, leading the Florida Department of Transportation to shut down a portion of Interstate 75, a key cross-state artery known as Alligator Alley.

Why it matters

The wildfire and highway closure highlight the severe drought impacting Florida, with 98% of the state experiencing some level of drought and over 67% in 'severe drought' conditions, the most since 2001. The lack of rainfall has led to a surge in wildfires across the state, with more than 650 observed so far this year.

The details

The National Fire has now grown to 25,780 acres in the Big Cypress National Forest near Naples, according to the National Interagency Wildfire Enterprise. The Florida Department of Transportation shut down a portion of Interstate 75 between Exits 80 and 23 early Thursday due to the heavy smoke from the blaze, but the highway has since reopened.

  • The highway was closed early Thursday and reopened around 6:30 a.m. local time.
  • The National Fire has been burning since earlier this week in the Big Cypress National Forest.

The players

Florida Department of Transportation

The state agency that oversees transportation infrastructure, including the closure of Interstate 75 due to the wildfire.

National Interagency Wildfire Enterprise

The organization that tracks and reports on wildfire activity across the United States, including providing the latest size estimate for the National Fire in Florida.

FOX Forecast Center

The weather forecasting team that provided analysis on the drought conditions and upcoming rainfall expected to provide some relief to the region.

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What they’re saying

“Tropical systems, for all the destruction they cause, still produce lots of rain.”

— FOX Forecast Center (nypost.com)

What’s next

A cold front is expected to bring much-needed rainfall to parts of the Southeast, including Florida, beginning on Thursday and continuing through the weekend. However, drought conditions are expected to persist through the rest of the state's dry season, which lasts until May.

The takeaway

The massive wildfire and highway closure in Florida underscore the severe drought gripping the state, which has seen a surge in wildfires and is experiencing its worst dry conditions in over two decades. While an upcoming weather system will provide some temporary relief, the long-term drought challenges facing Florida remain significant.