SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A brush fire off 224th Street and South Dixie Highway is preventing residents in the area from getting home, Thursday.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue is on the scene of a grass fire, which is currently about 80 percent contained.
According to Florida Forest Service, about 70 acres affected.
7’s Skyforce HD flew over the scene as fire rescue sprayed water to combat the fire.
“At this moment, it seems pretty well controlled, especially since we’re supporting the Department of Forestry along with Parks. At this time, we’re just waiting to fully extinguish the fire,” said MDFR Lt. Felipe Lay.
MDFR has 13 units fighting the fire and Florida Forestry officials also have four trucks hosing down the flames.
“It is a very tricky area because it is a protected piece of land, as well as the residential areas that are around us,” Lay said.
Florida Highway Patrol has reopened both the northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. 1.
Residents have also joined the fight as flames come close to their homes, some using household garden supplies, like watering hoses.
“It seems like it’s spreading quickly because we were just sitting here, the fire was there, and it just moved within a matter of seconds,” said Pamela Chambers, a nearby resident. “It’s still not dying down. They’re trying their best, but it is what it is.”
Chambers and her family live off of 119th Avenue and are among those who are waiting to return home.
She said she hopes the ordeal will be over soon. “I’m just gonna sit here until they tell us we can go back home,” Chambers said.
Firefighters said, as of 6 p.m. Thursday, they have a good handle on the situation. Their biggest concern is the smoke.
There is no word at this point when nearby residents can return home.
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