Two brush fires consume more than 500 acres in Northwest Miami-Dade

Lightning may have sparked two brush fires in Northwest Miami-Dade Monday, causing more than 500 acres of grass and trees to burn, according to the Florida Forest Service.

The fires began at about 3:30 p.m., one near the Florida Department of Corrections South Florida Reception Center at 13910 NW 41st Street and another about five to six miles south, also off Northwest 41st Street.

The first fire, dubbed Bumpy by the Forest Service, burned 422 acres as of about 7:30 p.m. Monday. The second fire dubbed Substation burned 100 acres.

Both fires are in the same parcel of land, Florida Forest Service spokesman Scott Peterich said.

Monday's weather made it hard to fight the fires, Peterich. As of Monday evening, another lightning storm was expected, which meant crews had to leave.

Miami-Dade Fire Spokeswoman Erika Benitez said the department used air rescue to dump water on the blazes. She said the department is warning drivers to be cautious because of the smokey conditions on the roadways.

“If possible, we suggest avoiding the area,” she said.

Brush fires have been a problem in recent weeks because of South Florida's dry weather.

Last week, a brush fire consumed nearly 400 acres between 167th Avenue and Krome and between 47th Street and Kendall Drive.

This story was originally published July 13, 2015 at 8:29 PM with the headline "Two brush fires consume more than 500 acres in Northwest Miami-Dade."