West Broward wildfire burns 11,000 acres, crews gain control near homes

Added: 2026-05-16

[00:00:00]Now at 11:00, crews are trying to keep a massive wildfire burning in West Broward under control. The flames getting close to homes at one point, scaring some residents and causing concern [music] about the air quality in the area. The fire has burned more than 11,000 [music] acres so far. But tonight, officials say the fire is 60% contained. Good evening.

[00:00:23]Thank you for joining us. I'm Lauren Pastrana. CBS News Miami's Anna McAllister is your reporter live in Pembroke Pines, and Anna, how's it looking out there tonight?

[00:00:32]Well, Lauren, you can't see the smoke here tonight anymore, but you can certainly smell it. It smells like a massive bonfire out here. And earlier today here in West Broward, you could see the smoke and the flames. But thanks to the tireless work of first responders, that fire is much more contained tonight.

[00:00:51]A Black Hawk chopper flew over the raging wildfire in West Broward Monday, dousing the flames with water to control the blaze. Now, wind shifted to the east, and then it looked like somebody poured gasoline on it. The fire just totally started coming east, and it approached the perimeter of the park. It was really intense. Captain Neil Stark runs Fishing with America's Finest, a nonprofit for veterans, and keeps his boats at Everglades Holiday Park in West Broward. Captain Stark says the blaze quickly encroached the county park.

[00:01:25]There was helicopters dropping water.

[00:01:28]Uh there were fire trucks with the boom shooting water on the fire. There were guys on the ground.

[00:01:33]Uh they were cutting trenches. Smoke started to billow Sunday by US 27 and Chrome Avenue. The smoke still seen Monday afternoon as drivers made their way west on Sheridan Street in Pembroke Pines. By Monday, a thick wall of smoke and flames covered the West Broward sky as Florida Forestry Services and other local fire agencies worked to contain it. They've had aerial resources with BSO and the National Guard out making water drops to continue to suppress the fire and then also protect the communities. Florida Forestry Service telling us much of the fuel for the fire, like dry shrubbery, was consumed and first responders were able to make significant progress with containment. As for Captain Stark, he says he saw firsthand how diligently first responders worked to extinguish the fire and protect the surrounding community. It was an amazing operation.

[00:02:29]It was amazing to see and they did a phenomenal job handling this fire. All of them commented they never seen a fire move that quickly from the west to the east.

[00:02:43]And Florida Forestry Service tells us that fire is now 60% contained. They also say they're going to monitor it monitor it overnight into the morning.

[00:02:52]So now reporting out from Pembroke Pines, Anna McAllister, CBS News, Miami.