Smelling smoke or noticing a haze in west Broward County? Here’s why

If you’re smelling wildfire or noticing smoke in west Broward County, it could be from a couple different sources.

Sugar cane burning from the north and a large brush fire to the west could be creating smoky conditions for some northwest Broward residents, according to the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department.

A northwest wind appears to be carrying down smoke from prescribed sugar cane burning Tuesday, Feb. 24, in Palm Beach County, according to the Florida Forest Service.

Satellite mapping data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows light smoke from the Lake Okeechobee area drifting southeast and reaching Broward County.

Another cause could be the massive National Fire in Big Cypress National Preserve, which had spread to 25,000 acres by the morning of Feb. 24.

Two fires, one under five acres, were discovered late Feb. 22 in the preserve, according to the National Park Service. The larger of the two blazes has spread rapidly just south of Interstate 75 and east of State Road 29, prompting closures to certain areas.

Ground and air crews are working to contain the flames.

Low humidity and high winds, combined with an ongoing drought in South Florida, led to a red flag warning for conditions conducive to wildfire.

Various fires have popped up in Florida in recent days since the warning was issued, including a half-acre fire in Palm Beach County, a spokesperson from the Florida Forest Service said.

Fourteen units from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service responded to a brush fire near 20 Mile Bend and contained the fire in about 90 minutes, the county agency said. Photos appear to show an agricultural field on fire.

Broward County residents are instructed not to burn anything outdoors and to avoid parking vehicles on dry grass as part of the red flag warning.

Fire officials advise those with respiratory conditions to stay inside if possible.