Emergency crews intensified efforts Friday as a relentless wildfire scorched more than 26,000 acres in South Miami-Dade County. The week-long blaze, fueled by dry brush and high winds, has forced officials to ramp up both aerial and ground responses in a race to contain the growing inferno.
With much of the fire burning in remote terrain inaccessible to larger fire vehicles, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava approved a major expansion of aerial firefighting operations. Five helicopters were added to conduct continuous water drops over the affected area, located south of Florida City.
“I am thankful for our heroic first responders who are working around the clock to contain the fires and ensure the safety of our residents and commuters,” said Mayor Levine Cava. “We are closely coordinating with state and local agencies in this emergency response.”
State emergency managers also deployed a fixed-wing aircraft from Tennessee, loaded with fire-retardant chemicals to assist in the firefighting effort. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue spokesperson Erika Benitez called the situation “all hands on deck,” urging residents to avoid travel in affected areas if possible.
Ground crews have faced significant obstacles in reaching the flames due to narrow and overgrown paths. To overcome this, officials dispatched smaller, all-terrain firefighting vehicles capable of navigating the rough landscape and assisting in containment efforts.
Meanwhile, the wildfire’s smoke has disrupted travel across the region. U.S. Highway 1, the primary route connecting the Florida Keys to the mainland, experienced dangerous visibility conditions, prompting multiple closures earlier in the week. On Friday, a multi-vehicle crash near Mile Marker 121 created further delays as emergency crews worked to clear debris from the roadway.
Travelers caught in the chaos described a tense and frustrating experience. “Maybe two seconds before it was blocked off. We could have gone,” said Angelina Shank-Cora, who was en route to Key West with her family. “But we had to stop for a baby bottle.”
Retired firefighter Stephanie Chin recalled being caught in a sudden gridlock. “Came to a dead stop out of nowhere before we even saw the smoke,” she said.
Nick Rodriguez, a Key Largo resident, took the delays in stride. “This is one of the joys of living on an island,” he said. “If there’s an accident, this happens. I usually keep a fishing pole in the back of my car. It is what it is.”
Although the highway was later reopened after tow trucks cleared the crash, authorities warned that further closures remain possible depending on fire behavior and air quality.
Firefighters are monitoring the air closely. While officials say air quality currently remains at safe levels, they’re advising residents, spring break tourists, and commuters to limit outdoor exposure when near the fire zone.
“It’s spring break. We’ve got all kinds of people headed down to the Keys,” said Levine Cava. “We’ve got regular commuters, the workforce that comes many times from the mainland to the Keys, and residents coming and going. We must stay ahead of this.”
The fire remains active and dangerous. Emergency personnel are expected to continue aerial and ground suppression efforts around the clock until full containment is achieved. As conditions remain dry and windy, authorities are preparing for ongoing challenges.
Residents are urged to stay informed through official channels, remain cautious while traveling, and report any spot fires or changes in conditions near their neighborhoods.
The 26,000-acre wildfire marks one of the largest brush fires in recent memory for Miami-Dade County, reinforcing the critical importance of coordinated emergency response and public awareness in the face of escalating wildfire threats.
