Portion of Krome Ave. reopened after road closure as fire crews battle pair of wildfires in southwest Miami-Dade

A section of Krome Avenue has reopened Saturday after it was closed Friday while fire crews battled a pair of wildfires burning more than 200 acres combined in southwest Miami-Dade, due to smoky conditions in the area.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said that the road closure was on Krome Avenue between SW 8th and 88th Street due to low visibility, and additional units from the Florida Forest Service are assisting with the firefighting. 

The smaller of the two fires, the Trail Fire, has burned 25 acres and is 80% contained as of Saturday afternoon, according to Watch Duty. The map reports the Trail Fire is located in the 2000 Block of SW 8th St.

The other fire, named the Radio Tower Fire, has burned a total of 700 acres and is also 80% contained as of Saturday evening, according to Watch Duty. It is located at 5755 SW 177th Ave.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said the fires are not currently a threat to residential or commercial areas.

Drivers heading to destinations along Krome were forced to turn around or find alternate routes. Dario Diaz, who lives nearby, said he was caught off guard on his way home.

"When I got here on my way home, kind of in a hurry and I get here and find the road is closed because of the fire," Diaz said.

Chopper 4 was over the Radio Tower Fire, where heavy plumes of smoke were seen filling the area.

Sasha Tarasiuk was on her way to a garden along Krome when the fire forced her to pull over. She said she found smoke covering the road and crews working the scene.

"Of course it's scary. I don't know what's going on with nature," Tarasiuk said.

Lucas Thomas, a traveler caught in the closure, said he was not surprised given recent conditions.

"It's been forest fires here lately, all over, so I guess we have to be patient and wait," Thomas said.

CBS News Miami will continue to monitor the fires over the weekend, including when the Krome Avenue closure is expected to be lifted.