Smoky conditions in Homestead as fire crews battle brush fire, officials say
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Massive Miami-Dade brush fire raged for days; burned over 26,000 acres
The Florida Forest Service, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Monroe County Fire Rescue spent more than a week in mid-March battling a 26,000-acre brush fire that caused full road closures of the Florida Keys and polluted air with smoke.
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Fire crews are battling a stubborn brush fire in Homestead.
The fire, which began near East Palm Drive and SW 117th Avenue on Tuesday, was 60% contained as of Friday morning, according to the Florida Forest Service.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue initially responded with 10 units at around 11:50 p.m. on Tuesday.
“We’re currently experiencing perfect conditions for an increased risk of brush fires to start or to propagate,” Erika Benitez, spokesperson for MDFR, said Friday. “Vegetation, particularly in open fields or vast grassy areas, can actually dry out quickly, creating conditions for fire to spread.”
On Thursday, three MDFR units, including a water truck and Air Rescue, assisted the Florida Forest Service by delivering water to suppress the flames. As of Friday, only MDFR’s water tender remains on-site.
The 700-acre fire is now concentrated near Southwest 344th Street and 117th Avenue, according to the Florida Forest Service.
“If you have any respiratory conditions, stay away from smoky areas, close your windows, close your doors and keep your air-conditioning unit on recirculating mode,” Benitez said.
This story will be updated as more details become available.
This story was originally published March 14, 2025 at 11:16 AM.
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