Can you enter or leave the Keys as wildfires close roads? Get to car race? What to know

Wildfires in South Miami-Dade are restricting access to and from the Homestead area and the Florida Keys.

Here’s what to know:

Is NASCAR racing still on in Homestead?

The three-day NASCAR Cup Series, March 21-23, is on as scheduled at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, is still running as scheduled, according to the city of Homestead.

What roads are closed?

▪ Card Sound Road to North Key Largo is shut down in both directions.

▪ U.S. 1 was closed again in both directions on Thursday. The 18-mile stretch of U.S. 1 was open as of 7:45 a.m. Friday But the agency warned that the road is subject to close. U.S. 1 has been closed intermittently during the fires.

▪ Turnpike access to Florida City has been closed.

Are there warnings about the smoke and flames?

▪ As of Thursday morning, the air quality in Homestead and Key Largo was considered to be “moderate,” according to AirNow, a federal website that monitors pollutants in the air. That means the air quality in the area “is acceptable” but “there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. The website says those who are “unusually sensitive to particle pollution” should consider reducing how long you are outside. AirNOW predicts the air quality will improve and be “good” Friday.

▪ The National Weather Service is planning to issue a fire watch Friday for South Florida indicating imminent weather conditions that will fuel fires such as strong winds and low humidity. A fire red-flag warning indicates conditions are actively occurring.

Are the fires affecting power and cell towers?

There have been brief power outages under high-voltage lines, and crews are working on repairs. Some tower damage may affect cellphone and internet service.

How big are the fires and when did they start?

▪ The Forest Service told the Miami Herald that the fire was burning 22,000 acres of brush — with 22% containment.

▪ The fires began more than a week ago, but grew and intensified due to dry air and high winds.

Miami Herald staff writer Michelle Marchante contributed to this report.

This story was originally published March 20, 2025 at 2:07 PM.

David Goodhue

Miami Herald

305-923-9728

David Goodhue covers the Florida Keys and South Florida for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald. Before joining the Herald, he covered Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware.