Two active wildfires consumed over 8,000 acres of vegetation in western Miami-Dade County on Wednesday, generating smoke columns visible as far as southwestern Broward County and deteriorating air quality across the southern region of Florida, according to a report by Local 10.
The largest fire, known as Quarry 2, began on Monday near Northwest 137th Avenue and 41st Street, and by Wednesday it had burned between 7,400 and over 13,400 acres with only about 30% containment, figures that illustrate the rapid spread of the flames.
The second fire, known as Well Fire, started on Tuesday near Northwest 122nd Avenue and 58th Street, and has consumed about 500 acres with only 25% containment.
The communities of Hialeah, Doral, Hialeah Gardens, and Medley were directly affected by smoke and ashes, according to Univisión 23.
Residents in the areas closest to the two fires are suffering from poor air quality and the smell of smoke.
In addition, authorities issued alerts to drivers due to low visibility caused by smoke, as occurred this morning on the Florida Turnpike near Hialeah.
The Miccosukee Police (official security agency of the Miccosukee Tribe of Florida) closed Krome Avenue in both directions, and the Florida Highway Patrol issued a traffic alert, shutting down that stretch between SW 8 Street and Okeechobee Road.
Authorities recommend that drivers avoid the area and seek alternative routes until further notice, starting from SW 8 Street and Okeechobee Rd. For traffic updates, they suggest monitoring FL511.com.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue deployed around seven units in the area, with support from the Florida Forest Service and agents from the Broward County Sheriff's Office. Helicopters from the United States Army also joined the firefighting efforts, according to footage captured by the helicopter from Telemundo 51.
The Department has also brought water tanker trucks to provide a steady supply of water and fire engines to contain and suppress the fires.
"As temperatures rise throughout the day, smoke is expected to rise, and some haze and smoke may continue to affect surrounding communities," it warned on X.
The columns of smoke are spreading over a large part of Northwest 137th Avenue and 41st Street (Quarry 2), as well as Northwest 122nd Avenue and 58th Street (Well), and are visible as far southwest as Broward County.
Lieutenant Jeanette Harrington of the Miami-Dade Fire Department warned that "it may be possible for people in the area to see and smell smoke, and it is advised that they do not stay outdoors for long."
For her part, spokesperson Erika Benitez was more direct with vulnerable groups: "Those individuals who have respiratory issues should eliminate their exposure to smoke, and we recommend that they stay at home."
The United States Environmental Protection Agency advised against outdoor activities in southern Florida.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue instructed residents to keep doors and windows closed and to set their air conditioning systems to indoor recirculation mode, a measure especially important for children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory conditions.
As of the time of the report, authorities had not recorded any damaged structures or injured persons from the flames.
This episode adds to a particularly active fire season in South Florida.
In May, the Max Road Fire burned 5,650 acres in the Everglades, and in April, the Highway 41 Fire ravaged over 6,500 acres in Everglades National Park with 0% initial containment, amidst a situation where almost 100 wildfires were burning simultaneously in Florida.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue indicated that as temperatures rise during the day, smoke is expected to rise as well, though they warned that changing wind conditions could alter the direction of the smoke columns at any time and lead to new road closures.
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