WEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Fire crews continue to work to put out a massive brush fire that broke out in West Miami-Dade and has burned more than 700 acres.
7News cameras captured hotspots that continued to burn Wednesday night, west of Southwest 137th Avenue and about a half mile north of Southwest Eighth Street.
Nearby residents said they are staying on high alert. “I’m concerned for my kids’ health mainly,” said Maggie Sanders, the mother of two small children.
Officials believe the fire started Tuesday and is being fueled by extremely dry conditions and lack of rain.
Earlier Wednesday, Sanders became concerned when she saw the dark smoke. “We come outside all the time, and I don’t want [my children] to breathe those fumes,” she said.
At one point the blaze seemed to be under control. However, by Wednesday it has sparked back up, with windy conditions helping it spread.
“When the sun came up, it grew, and that’s when Forestry called us back to protect the structures again,” said Miami-Dade Fire Lt. Kirsten Miller.
Crews said more than 700 acres have been burned so far. As of Wednesday evening, about 20 percent of the fire had been contained.
#MDFR reminds residents living near grassy areas that it's always a good practice to observe the 30-ft safety zone surrounding their homes by clearing away loose grass, leaves, etc.
— Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (@MiamiDadeFire) March 29, 2018
Florida Forest Services, along with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews are working to contain the blaze. Fire rescue crews advised residents with respiratory problems near Southwest Eighth Street and west of 137th Avenue to stay indoors.
As of right now, the fire does not appear to be dangerous to any nearby structures, but firefighters want to make sure it stays that way.
“The properties that are near the fire are properly cleared,” said Miller. “They have at least 30 feet away from the buildings, so we are only trying to keep the fire at bay along the brush lines.”
Despite that, property owners are keeping an eye out for the blaze.
“The fires are on [the left] of my property, all around, back farther in, and you can see the black smoke over there,” said property owner Pete Williams. “As I came out this morning, it was a terrible black cloud up over everything out here.”
“The fire is here. It is within feet away from us, and at any moment, it could spark,” said Adolfo Betancourt, the owner of the nearby Family Paintball Center.
Traffic is not being affected at this point. Drivers are urged to proceed with caution due to smokey conditions in the area as black plumes of smoke could be seen as far away as Downtown Miami.
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