MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A large grass fire in west Miami-Dade is now 40% contained after burning 410 acres, the Florida Forest Service confirmed.
The strong winds are causing the fire to grow. Florida Forest Service says they are trying a burn-out operation using fire to stop the fire.
Officials urged residents in the area to stay indoors, and urged commuters to use caution, particularly in the morning, when smoke could mix with fog.
Fire crews were called out to the grass fire around 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The flames were located in the area of Southwest 136th Avenue and Eighth Street and stretched for dozens of acres. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials said crews worked through 11 p.m. and two engines returned early Wednesday morning to continue battling the blaze.
One engine remains at the scene assisting Florida Forestry in containing the fire, officials said.
Crews dropped water from helicopters to contain the blaze. They used water from a nearby reservoir.
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Resident Mario Muxo was keeping a close eye on the flames Tuesday, which were burning dangerously close to his home.
He said it’s a scare that typically happens to families on his block every spring.
“The wind can exasperate this really bad, but luckily it hasn’t and it’s gone in our favor this time,” said Muxo.
Wind appeared to be bellowing the flames away from nearby populated areas.
The Florida Forest Service is working on the ground creating fire lines to stop the flames and embers from spreading.
Bryan Williams is the one and only state meteorologist for the Florida Forrest Service and through his fire weather forecast he’s helping crews on the ground deal with this brush fire.
“Right now high pressure is the basically the dominating factor in South Florida. You’re all basically seeing draught conditions and because of that and because of how dry soil is that’s why some of these wild fires are popping up,” Williams said.
Homes and businesses are to the east and south of the fire, but the wind is pushing the worst of the smoke and embers to the west. Officials also say there are canals around the area of the fire, so they don’t expect the flames to jump to nearby highways or neighborhoods at this point.
“You don’t get used to these kinds of things, but at the same time you kind of figure which way it’s going and all of that,” nearby resident Angel Hernandez said. “I think they got it under control pretty good out there.”
There has been no word from officials on what sparked the fire, however Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials said grass fires are more likely to occur with dry conditions.
They urge those with respiratory conditions to limit their exposure to smoke, “especially if they are at increased risk for particle-related effects.”