Everglades wildfire 2026: captain Greg’s firsthand account from the front lines
The Everglades is no stranger to fire — but what tore through the marsh this week was unlike anything we’ve seen in years. This wasn’t a distant plume of smoke or a slow‑moving brush burn. This was a wall of flame, racing across the sawgrass, turning the sky orange, and forcing wildlife to flee in every direction.
For those of us who live and breathe this ecosystem, it wasn’t just a wildfire. It was personal.
Helicopters Overhead. Fire Crews in the Marsh. A Gladesman Watching It All.
As the fire spread, helicopters thundered overhead, dropping massive buckets of water onto the flames. Firefighters pushed deep into the marsh, battling heat so intense it shimmered across the water.
CBS Miami captured the moment — and they spoke directly with Captain Greg, a lifelong Gladesman and owner of Airboat Adventures Everglades, who witnessed the fire up close from the water.
Watch the CBS Miami clip featuring Captain Greg’s firsthand account: https://youtu.be/mNuG8vOXgYE?si=HpJdmOKT8QnsWsFJ&t=27
In the interview, Captain Greg explains how fast the fire moved, how the wind shifted, and how dangerously close the flames came to wildlife‑dense areas. His voice carries the weight of someone who has spent a lifetime navigating these waters — someone who knows the Everglades like family.
“When the Glades burn, we all feel it.” — Captain Greg
The Everglades is a living, breathing ecosystem. Every fire changes it. Every helicopter drop saves a piece of it.
Captain Greg described the moment the smoke rolled in so thick it swallowed the horizon. He talked about the gators sliding into deeper water, the birds lifting off in waves, and the firefighters pushing through conditions most people will never experience.
This wildfire wasn’t just a news story. It was a fight for the heart of Florida.
See the Wildfire Through a Gladesman’s Eyes
We also released our own footage — raw, unfiltered, and filmed from the water — showing exactly what it looked like from the airboats as the fire tore across the marsh.
Watch our full video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fbnrCiO7cQE?feature=share
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more Everglades footage: https://www.youtube.com/@miamiairboattours(youtube.com in Bing)
Together, the CBS Miami coverage and our on‑the‑ground footage give viewers the full picture: the danger, the beauty, the bravery, and the reality of life in the Glades.
Experience the Everglades With the People Who Live It
At Airboat Adventures Everglades, we don’t just run tours — we protect, document, and fight for this ecosystem every day. When you ride with us, you’re learning from real Gladesmen who grew up in this water and know its stories by heart.
Book a Private Everglades Airboat Tour Near Miami Airboat Adventures Everglades at
Website: www.FloridaTourCompany.com
Phone Number: 305‑766‑1929
Email: airboatadventureseverglades@gmail.com
Follow Us on Instagram for Daily Wildlife, Fire Updates, and Real Glades Life
🔥 @airboat_adventures_everglades
This is where we share: • Real Everglades wildlife encounters • Fire updates and behind‑the‑scenes footage • Conservation work • Viral clips • Daily life of real Gladesmen
Tap follow. Join the adventure. Be part of the story.
