MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A large grass fire in west Miami-Dade is now 85% contained after burning 627 acres, the Florida Forest Service confirmed, and on Thursday another brush fire erupted -- this time in Miami Lakes.
The latest fire is burning in the area of Danell Lane and Krome Avenue.
Fire officials say they’re not concerned unless the winds shift and the smoke starts blowing into nearby roads.
“This fire could get into the 10- thousand, 15-thousand acre range. Possibly even 20 thousand, but definitely the way the smoke is moving in addition, near the highway, is of critical importance,” Florida Forest Service mitigation specialist David Rosenbaum said.
Hot spots from the other fire continued to spark up Thursday morning.
The brush fire started on Tuesday around 5 p.m. near the area of Southwest 136th Avenue and Eighth Street, stretching for dozens of acres.
From 80 percent containment on Wednesday morning to 40 percent Thursday, the flames continue to burn and the windy conditions are a big concern for those working to put these flames out.
Rosenbaum says windy conditions have been fanning the flames which are fueled by an excess of dry vegetation in the area due to dry conditions.
“It’s pretty scary for us because everyone’s concerned about their home, but it’s not uncommon and as long as the wind keeps moving west, and hopefully it’ll rain very soon, so that should help clear out the fire,” Belkis Martinez, who lives nearby, said.
Fire officials say they are very concerned over a shift in the winds, but they say there is a dirt road, a canal and the Tamiami Trail separating the flames from a line of homes.
“If the winds shift out of the north and north west, and we have this fire that would blow the smoke certainly right to Tamiami Trail and those residents there,” Rosenbaum said.
Fire crews are continuing to work and will determine if it will spread any further, saying there is a 50/50 chance.