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South Florida's Alligator Alley reopened

MIAMI, June 2 (UPI) -- Alligator Alley, the only interstate connection between southeast and southwest Florida, reopened Wednesday after an Everglades fire shut it down.

The fire that blazed through the night into the morning in the Everglades west of Fort Florida, quieted down and by mid-morning was only smoldering, WSVN-TV reported.

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The three-day fire burned 3,000 acres but caused no injuries and did not threatened any structures.

Interstate 75, also known as Alligator Alley, was another matter, however.

"The smoke was crossing the lanes causing zero visibility and unsafe driving conditions," Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Roger Reyes said as the highway was closed.

Tom Coletti of the state Division of Forestry said it was difficult to fight the fire because it was so hard to reach on the ground.

Everglades fires are normal, and officials usually let them burn themselves out, but in this case, they made an effort to put it out because of the interstate.

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