MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A massive brush fire in southwest Miami-Dade County caused major traffic disruptions Friday, leaving some drivers stuck for more than eight hours as emergency crews worked to contain the flames near a key route into the Florida Keys.
The fire, which ignited Thursday afternoon near Card Sound Road and Southwest 392nd Street, forced the closure of both directions of the 18-Mile Stretch of U.S. 1 and Card Sound Road overnight.
Authorities confirmed that at least 350 acres have burned and approximately 25% of the fire has been contained.
By Friday evening, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said Card Sound Road and U.S. 1 had reopened in both directions.
“The roads may be open when you leave your home, but they could be closed by the time you get here,” said Jason Fernandez, assistant fire chief of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. “It’s dependent on the weather and smoke conditions. It’s a large area so what we try to do is tackle portions of it that are affecting structures.”
Traffic backups persisted throughout the day, and a Local 10 news crew attempting to leave the area reported delays of more than 90 minutes just to turn around and reroute.
“Our phones were dying,” said South Florida resident Gisella Gil. “We literally had 90 miles of gas left, so we were trying our best not to use the car, but we only had one phone to communicate.”
Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay is watching closely and says the road closures are a serious safety concern.
The impact on Monroe county is so tremendous," Ramsay said. “We can’t get first responders, police, fire rescue, teachers, nurses in — we rely on that road as an artery."
MDFR and the Florida Forest Service responded to the fire, which was upgraded to a second alarm and drew more than 20 units, including water tender trucks and Air Rescue helicopters conducting water drops.
MDSO deputies and Florida Highway Patrol troopers were also assisting with traffic control in the area.
Video from MDFR showed intense flames and thick smoke as more than 20 firefighting units responded to the second-alarm fire, including water tender trucks and helicopters conducting aerial water drops.
Gil was among many travelers stranded in their vehicles for hours with limited access to restrooms, food, and cell phone chargers.
“It was hard because of course everybody needed to use the restroom. There was a gas station nearby — it was completely packed," she said. “We haven’t actually eaten a decent dinner or anything.”
“I thought not again — oh my god — here we go,” said Elina Weisberg, owner of Gilbert’s Resort in Key Largo.
She told us it feels like déjà vu.
“A lot of our employees live on both sides of the fire,” Weisberg said. “We had to house the employees … some got on the road, they were there for six hours or more.”
Noon report:
Authorities remained at the scene Friday afternoon, working to fully contain the fire. They urged drivers to avoid the area if possible, as conditions could change quickly due to wind and smoke.
The Monroe County School District said Upper Keys schools remained open Friday, but warned there would be no bus transportation for students returning home. Parents and guardians were asked to make alternate pickup arrangements.
Officials have not yet released information on what may have sparked the fire.