A fire in the Florida Everglades has burned about 48,000 acres, according to the Florida Forest Service.
As of Sunday night, it was 85% contained.
The fire in Broward County, about six miles southwest of Weston, was discovered a week ago, on Aug. 18.
Here's the latest from the Florida Forest Service.
Florida Everglades fire named 'Mile Marker 39' fire
The Mile Marker 39 fire in Broward County, about six miles southwest of Weston, was discovered about 6 p.m. Aug. 18, according to the Florida Forest Service.
The fire's main fuel source are tall grasses, with the area comprised of 99% wetlands, according to the Florida Forest Service.
How large is the Everglades Mile Marker 39 Fire?
As of 8:35 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, six days after the fire was discovered, the fire has burned about 48,000 acres.
Wildland firefighters with the Florida Forest Service EvergladesD18 division said firefighter crews along with heavy equipment "aviation resources" have been deployed to contain the fire. Helicopters were used to make water drops on Aug. 21, at which time the fire was 10% contained.
An earlier fire, designated as the Sawgrass Fire, combined with Mile Marker 39 fire to its south on Wednesday, Aug. 20, the Florida Forest Service said.
Weekend rain help knock Everglades fire down
"We had a significant amount of rain over the weekend. In the past three days, we received 2 to 3 inches of rain in the area, which really helped knock it down," George Rizzuto, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Miami, said in a phone call Monday afternoon.
More rain is on the way, with scattered showers expected Monday afternoon and evening.
What caused the Mile Marker 39 Fire?
The Florida Forest Service lists the cause of the fire as "natural." The fire is in an area deemed 99.41% as wetlands.
Florida wildfires and smoke tracker
Should I be concerned about air quality in South Florida due to smoke?
There are no air quality concerns in Broward and Miami associated with the fire since it is now 85% contained, Rizzuto said.
There was a potential for smoke impacts from the fire in Palm Beach and Broward counties over the weekend, the Florida Forest Service posted on Facebook Aug. 22.
344 Fire earlier this year closed roads leading to Florida Keys
In March, firefighters battled what was known as the "344 Fire," which burned more than 25,000 acres in South Florida.
The fire also affected the only two roads with access to and from the Florida Keys, prompting officials at various times to close the roads and warn residents and visitors, after the roads had opened, they could be closed again if conditions warranted.
The 344 Fire also affected an area away from commercial and residential development.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Mile Marker 39 fire in Florida Everglades burns almost 50,000 acres
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