Brush Fire in Miami-Dade
Introduction to the Crisis
A brush fire in southern Miami-Dade grew to an estimated 24,000 acres by Thursday afternoon, prompting officials to close roads and warn the public of the potential for smoky conditions.
The Florida Forest Service and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue joined the team effort to battle the fire south of Homestead, which grew fivefold within the span of a day. Helping it thrive were the region’s dry and windy conditions.
Impact on the Community
While there was no threat to neighborhoods Thursday, the wind may carry the smoke for miles and pose a health concern. “We advise residents to limit their time outdoors, keep the windows and doors of their homes closed, and recirculate their air conditioning,” according to a statement from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
The fire kept Card Sound Road — a road that links the mainland to the Florida Keys — closed Thursday. Also shut down was U.S. 1 on Thursday, the latest time it was closed since it was reopened earlier this week.
In this image taken from video provided by WSVN-TV, a brush fire burns along U.S. 1 as a helicopter carrying a water tank flies toward the fire Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (WSVN-TV via AP)
Battling the Blaze
A key firefighting strategy in Miami-Dade has been “containment” — or trying to stop the fire from spreading by clearing nearby vegetation, also known as “control lines” or “firebreaks.” As of Thursday afternoon, the fire was nearly a third contained.
“If that fire is currently at 20% or 30% containment, that means 20% or 30% of that total perimeter now has some kind of control line on it that’s going to to stop that fire from spreading in that particular direction or that area,” said David Godwin, the University of Florida Southern Fire Exchange director.
Fire Dynamics
Containing the fire has been more challenging for crews because of the marsh-like terrain where the flames rage. Firefighting equipment is far more likely to get stuck or sink in the muck.
Aerial footage from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue shows that the brush fire isn’t one continuous blob of flames. Instead, the fire has taken on a more patchwork approach.
“If you have different vegetation, different moisture dynamics, all sorts of things that are going to alter how flammable your vegetation is, that can cause fire fingers, so kind of strands of fire to spread out and move faster than the fire beside it,” said University of Florida Forest Management assistant professor Victoria Donovan.
Pulses of wind may then carry the fire and move it farther away from other patches, she said.
“It can be a single source of ignition, but it can create this patchy dynamic across the landscape,” she said.
Weather Conditions Ahead
A weak cold front will push winds toward the northwest and bring breezier conditions on Thursday night, which could lead wildfire smoke to persist in the Miami-Dade area and possibly even pushing toward Broward and Palm Beach counties, according to the National Weather Service in Miami.
Fire weather concerns are still likely on Friday as the air stays hot, dry and windy. Rain is possible next week, but chances are only hovering between 20% and 40% on Monday and Tuesday.
“If we’re lucky, a quarter to a half-inch total, but even that might be a little generous, so nowhere near as much rainfall as we need,” National Weather Service Miami meteorologist Chris Fisher said.
Precautions and Safety Measures
Fortunately, winds are expected to die down beginning on Friday and through the weekend, so red flag warnings aren’t likely to be issued, Fisher said.
Relative humidity will drop even more Friday in the 20% to 30% range but are expected to rise over the weekend between 40% and 60%, Fisher said.
In the meantime, Fisher advised people, especially those in the Miami-Dade area and those with respiratory issues, to be cautious.
“Anyone with with respiratory issues, they’ll want to limit any time outdoors and keep their windows closed and stuff like that because if they have asthma or they’re sensitive to air particulates, the smoke could certainly cause some problems for those individuals,” he said.
Conclusion
The brush fire in Miami-Dade County has grown significantly, posing health and safety concerns for the community. It is essential for residents to take precautions, follow the advice of local authorities, and stay informed about the fire’s progression and any updates on road closures and safety measures.
FAQs
Q: What is the current size of the brush fire in Miami-Dade?
A: The brush fire has grown to an estimated 24,000 acres as of Thursday afternoon.
Q: Are there any road closures due to the fire?
A: Yes, Card Sound Road and U.S. 1 have been closed due to the fire.
Q: What precautions should residents take to protect themselves from the smoke?
A: Residents are advised to limit their time outdoors, keep windows and doors closed, and recirculate their air conditioning to minimize exposure to smoke.
Q: Is there a threat to neighborhoods from the fire?
A: As of Thursday, there was no threat to neighborhoods, but the situation is being closely monitored.
Q: What is the forecast for the fire in the coming days?
A: A weak cold front is expected to bring breezier conditions, which could lead to the persistence of wildfire smoke in the area. Rain is possible next week, but chances are low.
