4 wildfires burning near Everglades force hundreds to evacuate as officials close roads in Miami-Dade, Broward
Hundreds of people voluntarily fled their homes and roads in Miami-Dade and Broward counties were shut down as crews continue their brave effort to extinguish large wildfires that broke out in South Florida this week.
The Quarry 2 Fire, the bigger of the three wildfires burning in Miami-Dade, has so far burned nearly 16,000 acres and was 70% contained, according to the Florida Forest Service's Active Wildfire Points map.
Fire officials said that a lightning strike over the weekend near the Metro West Detention Center is to blame for igniting that blaze.
The Well Fire, which ignited a few miles to the northeast on Tuesday, has burned about 500 acres and was 25% contained.
Then late Wednesday afternoon another fire broke out much farther south. That fire, which is being called the Coptic Fire, has burned about 1,680 acres and was 0% contained, according to the National Interagency Fire Center's Watch Duty map.
A fourth, smaller fire also broke out Wednesday afternoon, miles even further south in Everglades National Park, according to the Watch Duty map. The "West of a Fire" wildfire has burned 51 acres and is 90% contained.
Hundreds evacuate as Miami-Dade wildfires continue to scorch landscape: "They're making everyone leave."
As the Quarry 2 and Well fires were raging across the South Florida landscape, local officials were urging residents in the area to grab what they could and get out of the area.
About 200 people were asked to get out of the area due to the spread of the Quarry 2 wildfire in west Miami-Dade.
"We all had to leave from the trailers," a resident named Roxana said. "Basically, they said that they were starting another fire to control the other one. So, everyone had to leave. They're making everyone leave."
CBS News Miami crews spotted people grabbing what they could and get out of the area, either by foot, on bikes and in their vehicles.
Fire officials had been urging people to heed the warning and get out of the area as the fires continue to rage, even as members of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, as well as fire crews from Broward County and the Florida Forest Service were dumping water on the fires from above in addition to spraying the flames on the ground.
"We can't express enough how sanctity of life is more important than property," Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office assistant sheriff Fernand Charles said. "You can always replace property, but you can't replace the sanctity of life. So, we encourage that you do not frequent this area until we have everything completely settled."
Marshall Jones, who owns Mack's Fish Camp and Jones Trailer Park, described the scene as the blaze neared the conservation area.
"The smoke density here was chokeable. The visibility was down to maybe 100 feet, and the ability to breathe normally was very impeded by how heavy the smoke was," Jones said.
Jones remained on-site to assist fire rescue crews in positioning equipment. "It was just a very rapid-paced, hairy scenario. Everybody was on edge because the fire was about to jump Krome Avenue into the conservation area," he said. "When that happened, the fuel on this side of the levee is even more than on the other side, so we were bracing for the worst-case scenario."
Relief arrived as conditions began to worsen.
"All of a sudden, the sky opened up, and a massive rainfall came and put out about 85 to 90% of the fire," Jones said. "It was just incredible. The heavens opened up, and nature and God really helped us a lot yesterday evening."
As of today, Jones is operating on generators, with no timeline for power restoration. Broken power poles line Krome Avenue; Florida Power & Light officials stated they will begin repairs once cleared to enter the area.
Residents living near the fires described difficult conditions caused by smoke and airborne particles.
"We could barely breathe," said Wilber Rojas, who has lived for 16 years in a nearby mobile home park with his wife.
Rojas said conditions became especially concerning Wednesday night, prompting the couple to consider leaving their home.
"There were too many strange particles in the air," he said. "We figured it was the smoke, and we even wore masks."
Neighbor Adolfo Hernandez said smoke lingered throughout much of the day.
Wildfires force officials to close major South Florida roads
On Thursday night, a Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office vehicle blocked westbound traffic on Krome Avenue, where parts of the roadway remained closed due to active fire conditions. One affected area was near the intersection of Northwest 177th Avenue and U.S. 27.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue released video showing crews battling the fires alongside the Florida Forest Service. More than 100 firefighters have been deployed to combat the blazes.
Assistant Fire Chief Jason Fernandez said the fires remain difficult to contain because of changing weather conditions.
"These fires present significant challenges for all responders due to weather, shifting winds and other factors, so we ask the public for your help to stay out of the area," Fernandez said. "The roads are shut down."
Authorities have identified four major fires burning in western Miami-Dade County this week. Firefighters have relied on both ground crews and aerial resources to slow the spread.
Earlier Thursday, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue helicopters were seen dropping water on active fire zones.
Along a partially closed stretch of Krome Avenue, pockets of vegetation were still burning hours after firefighting operations began.
Officials urge residents to avoid closed roadways and allow emergency personnel to work safely.
"If you see responders, please allow them to continue to do the work that they're doing," Fernandez said.
Earlier Thursday, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue helicopters were seen dropping water on active fire zones. Officials are currently managing four fires in the area, with the Quarry Fire serving as the primary focus.
Authorities have not yet announced when Krome Avenue will reopen or when residents will be permitted to return to their homes.