New wildfire in West Broward scorches 4,400 acres, dropping ash. Do you smell it?

A new Everglades wildfire burning in West Broward County near Interstate 75 and U.S. 27 is bringing ash and smoky conditions to parts of South Florida.

It burned through roughly 4,400 acres and was 20% contained as of around 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 17, according to the Florida Forest Service.

Those living east of the fire may have seen ash on their cars on Thursday and Friday morning. The blaze started July 16 from a natural cause about 15 to 20 miles west of Coral Springs and burned through 3,600 acres in its first day.

If the story sounds familiar, it’s because another Everglades wildfire sparked about three weeks prior just west of Tamarac. The flames ate through about 5,800 acres before it was put out.

Drivers heading west on Alligator Alley near Weston may see the plumes of smoke, along with commuters on U.S. 27 near mile marker 40, cutting northwest through the Everglades.

The air quality forecast in Broward for July 17 and the weekend is moderate due to Saharan Dust, coinciding with heat advisories issued by the National Weather Service for South Florida.

The heat index is expected to range from 105 to 110 degrees, with a chance of rain in the afternoon that may help dampen the latest fire.