MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — Some traffic closures remained in effect Saturday as brush fires scorched more than 20,000 acres in west Miami-Dade.
Local 10’s Jolena Esperto was on Krome Avenue Saturday morning as the roadway was shut down at U.S. 27.
The fire dubbed “Quarry 2,” east of Krome Avenue, has been the most widespread, burning 19,003 acres so far. It is 97% contained.
A separate brush fire near Medley has burned 1,425 acres and is 70 percent contained.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials confirmed Saturday that southbound lanes on Florida’s Turnpike have reopened after being closed from Okeechobee Road to Northwest 41st Street Friday.
Krome Avenue, however, is still closed from Okeechobee Road to Southwest Eighth Street. It is expected to reopen later in the day.
Deputies said residents who were evacuated from Jones Fish Camp can now return to their homes, however, access to Jones Fish Camp will be available only via U.S. 27.
“Residents must present valid identification to gain entry and return to their homes,” MDSO officials said.
“As weather and wind conditions change, residents and visitors in the community may continue seeing or smelling smoke, and nearby roadways may experience smoky or hazy conditions,” an MDFR spokesperson said in an email to Local 10 News.
Ash from the brush fires drifted for miles during the week.
Patrick Mahoney, with the Florida Forest Service, said the weather hasn’t helped.
“Heat and wind has been an issue, but also the drought,” he said. “I mean, it’s still very dry through here.”
Bad conditions led to crews across several agencies working around the clock to stop the blaze from spreading from above. Helicopters dumped buckets of water on the inferno.
“Our firefighters are doing a great job,” Mahoney said. “This is what we train for. This is what we do.”
On Thursday, a firefighter with the FFS was rushed to an area hospital after a heat-related episode, but he’s expected to be OK.
The Red Cross confirmed Saturday that it assisted displaced residents by managing a shelter in coordination with the county.
According to the Red Cross, so far, they have provided shelter, meals and support services to six residents and one cat.
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