2 wildfires burn 13,900 acres in western Miami-Dade

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — As a gray cloud of smoke expanded to pollute the air in South Florida, two active wildfires had burned 13,900 acres by Wednesday afternoon in western Miami-Dade County, according to the Florida Fire Service.

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The larger wildfire, which started on Monday, was 30% contained and had burned 13,400 acres. The smaller wildfire, which started on Tuesday, was 25% contained and had burned 500 acres.

Carolina Herrera said she lives with an autoimmune condition that increased her sensitivity to the smoke. She was walking her dog in her community near the Turnpike in Miami-Dade.

“My eyes have been itchier than usual,” Herrera said.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue deployed about seven dozen units to the area of Northwest 137 Avenue and 25 Street, according to the active dispatch calls log.

Drivers reported the smoke affected visibility early on Wednesday morning along the Florida Turnpike near Hialeah. The Florida Highway Patrol closed Krome Avenue temporarily at mile marker 23.

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Useful link: Temporary road closures possible

MDFR personnel warned that the smoke was lifting as temperatures increased and asked residents to “limit time outdoors, keep doors and windows closed, and set air conditioning systems to recirculate indoor air.

The pollution from these and other wildfires affected air quality in South Florida, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Useful link: Map to check air quality in your area

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