Crews Battle 4,600-Acre Brush Fire in West Broward; Residents Temporarily Trapped

Fire rescue crews responded to a brush fire that ignited in Broward County on Sunday, which has since grown to over 4,600 acres.

As of Sunday evening, Broward County had not closed any roads. Fire rescue teams are handling a series of brush fires that have placed neighbors on high alert.

The fire spread rapidly in West Broward within a matter of hours, scorching large areas of land. Residents living near the fire reported seeing flames closer than any previous fires in the area.

One resident, Roxan Gil, said she was trapped in her home with her boyfriend and one-year-old child after the fire blocked the dirt road leading to their property. Gil said the only way to leave was by airboat. Cell phone video she recorded showed flames ripping through the area, leaving scorched earth behind.

Gil said she and other residents hosed down their trailers and homes before fire crews arrived. She described hearing the fire crackling and seeing heavy smoke. Despite the close call, Gil said her home was not damaged, and the fire had moved past the community.

Fire crews have established a position near the Holly Lake community at U.S. 27 in Pembroke Pines to monitor the fire. Officials do not believe the fire will approach that community or any homes in the area but remain on standby.