Everglades fire update: Over 11,000 acres burned in South Florida

• The Max Road Fire in the Everglades has ballooned to over 11,000 acres burned in South Florida.
• The fire was 60% contained as of May 11.

A wildfire in the Everglades has ballooned to over 11,000 acres burned in South Florida.

The largest of two active wildfires in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, termed the Max Road Fire, is burning in the Everglades west of U.S. 27 and Pines Boulevard. According to a map of active wildfires provided by the Florida Forest Service, the fire has burned 11,090 acres and was 60% contained as of May 11 at 7:39 p.m. At 8:46 p.m. on the day prior, the fire was 20% contained and had burned 4,800 acres.

An additional fire, the 172nd Avenue Fire, is located near Miami-Dade's Florida City. It's consumed 300 acres and is 50% contained as of May 11 at 3:08 p.m., up from 210 acres and 30% containment as of May 10 at 8:48 p.m.

"In collaboration with forestry, we’re working on protecting the communities around Florida City and Homestead, and also making sure that the roads stay open so the community still has access to those roadways,” said Ralph Baena, Emergency Operations Administrative Division Chief with MDFR.

On May 10, Pembroke Pines Police posted that the Max Road Fire was sending smoke towards the Holly Lake area, and that Fire-Rescue crews were monitoring its progress. In an additional post, the department said that drivers stopping to look at the fire were backing up traffic along U.S. 27 and Pines Boulevard, and that cars attempting to stop along the roadway would be asked to move. PPPD requested that drivers stay out of the area entirely.

According to the PPPD, multiple agencies, including the Florida Forest Service, the Broward Sheriff's Office and officials in Miami-Dade and Pembroke Pines, were "working in conjunction to ensure that the fire is not a hazard to local communities."

When will it rain in South Florida?

The forecast has a 40% to 70% chance of showers possible in South Florida, with thunderstorms Tuesday through Thursday.

Map of wildfires currently burning across Florida

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Florida counties currently under burn bans

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Contributing: Kimberly Miller, USA TODAY Network-Florida

Sarah Perkel is a South Florida Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network's Florida Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.