Brush fire erupts in Southwest Miami-Dade near Krome Avenue, heavy smoke shutting down major county roads
A large brush fire erupted Saturday afternoon, closing down main roads as Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Florida Forest Service crews continue battling the blaze into Sunday.
As of Sunday afternoon, the wildfire has burned 450 acres and is 45% contained, according to Florida Forest Service data.
According to MDFR, crews received reports of the fire just before 2:40 p.m. Saturday in the area near Krome Avenue and Southwest 12th Street in southwestern Miami-Dade County. When firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke and fire, and the call was upgraded to a third-alarm fire due to the need for additional resources. No injuries have been reported.
MDFR has been coordinating efforts with the Florida Forest Service to extinguish the fire and protect nearby structures.
Video shows heavy black smoke as fire crews drop water from the sky and over the flames.
Krome Avenue from US-27 to Tamiami Trail is currently shut down.
A large portion of 8th Street past the Miccosukee Casino was closed for much of Saturday and into Sunday morning. That road has since reopened, but MDFR advises to expect imminent road closures in the area due to the conditions and to avoid the area, especially if you have respiratory conditions.
"I would suggest people just don't come to the area unless you have to," Division Chief Operations North Horacio Rodriguez told CBS News Miami.
