Grass fire near Krome Avenue contained, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue says
Fire containment efforts
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue units, working alongside the Florida Forest Service, battled the blaze, stationing crews along the roadway to prevent the fire from spreading and to protect nearby structures, the agency reported.
The efforts allowed local traffic to continue safely, though conditions could lead to intermittent road closures, officials said.
Road closure update
Authorities confirmed that SW 8th Street westbound was temporarily closed due to the fire, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
No injuries have been reported, the agency added.
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Yahoo
an hour ago
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How much rain did metro Phoenix get last night? See latest rainfall totals
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Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
The Best Outdoor String Lights That Transform Backyards And Patios
As days grow shorter and darker, it's a good idea to invest in outdoor lights. These popular accessories don't require any major installation or rewiring, and they add a lovely decorated feel to any space. The best outdoor string lights offer even more: They're reliably bright and durable enough to withstand the occasional storm without damage. Our top pick for 2025, the Hampton Bay 24-Light 48 Foot Indoor/Outdoor String Light Set, is both stylish and practical, featuring shatterproof bulbs that come with a lifetime warranty. The best outdoor string lights are durable and add ambience to any yard, deck or patio. ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: GETTY Whether you have a sprawling backyard or a compact balcony, the right lighting can completely shift the mood. 'Adding outdoor string lights is a complete game-changer,' says interior and exterior designer Jen Sarantakis. 'They immediately transform your outdoor space from boring to brilliant, making it entertaining, welcoming and bright.' Read on for the best outdoor string lights to reinvent your outdoor space and last you for many nights to come. Number of bulbs: 24 | Bulb type: Edison | Cord length: 48 feet | Wattage: 40 lumens | Power source: Electric | Weather-resistant: Yes Pros: Warm light Shatter-resistant Limited lifetime warranty Cons: These stylish string lights feature a classic Edison-bulb design to brighten any yard, deck or patio. The 48-foot strand holds 24 bulbs and can be linked with up to 11 additional strings on a single outlet, making it easy to customize for any outdoor space. The LED bulbs cast a warm white glow—2200K on the Kelvin scale—which Sarantakis recommends for creating an inviting, ambient feel. Made from weather-resistant plastic, the bulbs won't shatter in wind or rain. One drawback: the lights are on the brighter side and lack remote-controlled dimming, so you'll be working with a single brightness setting. Number of bulbs: 12 | Bulb type: LED | Cord length: 27 feet | Wattage: 1 watt | Power source: Solar | Weather-resistant: Yes Pros: Wind and waterproof 2-year warranty Available in three cord lengths Cons: If you like the idea of never swapping batteries or searching for a nearby outlet, a solar-powered set like this is a smart choice. Highly rated for its heavy-duty build, long lifespan and overall reliability, it features a detachable solar panel with a 1,000-charge lifespan—roughly 2.5 years of use. The shatterproof plastic bulbs can handle heat, rain and even winds up to 50 mph. These lights cast a soft 3000K glow and can run for up to six hours on a full charge. They also come with a 2-year limited warranty. The main drawback here is brightness; many owners note that the light output is on the dim side, and can vary depending on how much sun the panel gets. Number of bulbs: 30 | Bulb type: Edison | Cord length: 96 feet | Wattage: 11 | Power source: Solar, electric | Weather-resistant: Yes Pros: Remote controllable Double-insulated protection Solar and USB options Cons: Feedback varies on long-term durability If your outdoor space sees more rain than sun, you'll need string lights that can handle a good soaking. This set is rated IP65 waterproof, meaning it can shrug off water from any direction—just don't toss it in the pool. It's designed to work with both solar power and USB charging, giving you reliable illumination whether the skies are cloudy or clear. A handy remote lets you tweak the brightness, set timers and choose between three modes: steady glow, flashing or a slow 'breathing' effect. Reviewers love the flexibility of having both solar and electric power options, as well as the convenience of remote controls. The one trade-off? The bulbs are spaced farther apart than some might like, so the look may not suit every style. Brightown Decor Number of bulbs: 20 | Bulb type: LED | Cord length: 7 feet | Wattage: 5 | Power source: Battery | Weather-resistant: Yes Pros: Waterproof Cool to the touch Bendable wire Cons: For a daintier look that's great for outdoor dining set-ups and window wrapping, these fairy lights can go from indoors to outdoors seamlessly. Sarantakis personally recommends these lights for being stylish, waterproof and budget-friendly. '[They] can be used in trees and branches to create a romantic, ethereal draping,' she suggests. These string lights are short at just seven feet long, but each purchase comes with a pack of 12 so they can be grouped together or spread out, depending on your design choice. Each set is battery-powered and offers a flexible string that's easy to wrap around structures or reshape to fit your outdoor oasis. The LED bulbs are also long-lasting, designed to withstand up to two years of regular usage. 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Owners have praised the functionality and customization of these lights, especially in the case of holiday decorating. Just keep in mind that this set doesn't include any on/off switch or remote control, so it's only suited to folks who own and regularly use a smartphone. The home team at Forbes Vetted is committed to scouting out the best products to help you make the most of your outdoor space, from the best outdoor sofas to the best patio umbrellas. Monica Petrucci is the author of this piece and a commerce writer who's extensively covered home topics for Forbes Vetted. She's researched and tested hundreds of products in the home space, from outdoor rugs to flat-top grills. For this article, we tapped the expertise of Jen Sarantakis, founder and interior designer at Jennifer Sarantakis, Inc. She offered insight about how to enhance your outdoor space with string lights, as well as which materials and varieties distinguish the most high-quality options. The Forbes Vetted team is serious about providing the most helpful and relevant information to our readers. We refresh our content regularly; this article was last updated in August 2025. We evaluated dozens of the most highly rated outdoor string lights on the market, making sure to prioritize features that indicate longevity and durability. We made sure to include a diverse range of outdoor string light options, featuring everything from plug-in and solar to battery-powered options to suit all spaces and preferences. We prioritized features outlined by Sarantakis, including shatterproof bulbs, warm white colors that fall between 2200 and 3000 on the Kelvin scale and water-resistant features. We scoured through consumer reviews, taking note of any common praises or complaints of the product and making note of them in our descriptions. We prioritized products with the strongest feedback from owners, only including light sets with a minimum 4-star rating. It's important to take a few key features into consideration when deciding on the best outdoor string lights to best serve your space and lifestyle. Power Source There are three main power sources to choose from when it comes to outdoor string lights: Electric, battery and solar. Traditional electric string lights are the most common and require the least amount of maintenance, but they require maneuvering with outside power outlets. Battery-powered lights solve this issue, offering more freedom when it comes to light placement, but they can be expensive as regular battery replacement is required. Finally, solar-powered lights alleviate both of these issues, merely requiring sunlight exposure for hours of power. However, results can be inconsistent and are highly reliant on weather. Bulb Type Most modern string lights feature LED bulbs, which are a top pick for safety and longevity. From there, you'll have to decide on the style of bulb you're looking for. Small bulbs offer a fairy light vibe, while larger Edison-style or round bulbs deliver a more vintage look. Shoppers should then consider the colors available on the bulb—including their temperature on the Kelvin scale—to determine the look and feel of the lights. Finally, take note of the wattage count and the number of lumens to distinguish brightness (Sarantakis recommends anywhere from 200-400 lumens for design purposes). Weather Resistance Sarantakis emphasizes the importance of shopping for outdoor string lights that specifically emphasize their weather resistance. 'A high-quality set of outdoor lights will be constructed of better and stronger materials,' she says. 'There will be more refinement and details in the design, and will hold up better in inclement weather.' Look for string lights labeled as wind and water resistant as well, as those protective features contribute to their durability. Length/Number Of Bulbs Consider the size of your outdoor space and how you'd like to hang your lights before deciding on the length of a string light set. Sarantakis recommends shopping for anything in the range of 20-80 bulbs in one set, ranging anywhere from 20 to 200 feet, 'depending on the length of your backyard, [and] if you want to do back-and-forth zigzag pattern.' Which Outdoor Lights Last The Longest? Any outdoor string lights with LED bulbs offer the most longevity when it comes to regular usage. Solar powered lights offer additional durability, as they don't rely on batteries or wires that can diminish longevity. How To Choose The Right Outdoor String Lighting? It's important to consider the outdoor area you're looking to use and how often you plan to use the lights before making a decision. This will determine the style, length and power source that best suits your space. What Is The Best Lumens Level For Outdoor String Lights? According to Sarantakis, the ideal lumens range depends on the use case of the lighting. 'For security purposes, the lumens range is 400-800 lumens, and for architectural landscaping purposes and pathway lighting the lumens range should be 200-400,' she says.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Hurricane Erin tracker: See projected path of 1st Atlantic hurricane of 2025 season, forecast to strengthen to Category 3 over the weekend
The threat of direct impacts on states like Florida on the U.S. East Coast and the Bahamas appears to be "gradually decreasing," NHC forecasters say. Erin has now become the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season, officially forming mid-Friday morning. Tropical Storm watches remain in effect for parts of the northern Leeward Islands, according to forecasters at the National Hurricane Center. Erin formed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean on Monday and is steadily strengthening as it moves westward. The NHC said there is still uncertainty about what impact it could have on states like Florida on the U.S. East Coast, as well as the Bahamas and Bermuda. But forecasters remain confident that Erin "will be a large and powerful hurricane over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean this weekend." Where is Hurricane Erin, and what is its path? As of 2 p.m. ET Friday: Erin was located 415 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. It is moving west-northwest at 17 mph. The storm is expected to continue moving west-northwest into the weekend. "The center of Erin is likely to move near or just north of the northern Leeward Islands over the weekend," the NHC said. Starting tonight into Sunday, the outer bands of Erin are expected to bring areas of heavy rainfall across the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Rainfall totals could range from 2 to 4 inches, with up to 6 inches in isolated areas, which could lead to flash or urban flooding and cause mudslides and landslides, the hurricane center said Friday. Direct impacts along the U.S. East Coast and the Bahamas appear to be "gradually decreasing," according to the NHC. What are the chances it will intensify? "Steady to rapid strengthening is expected during the next two to three days, and Erin is forecast to become a major hurricane during the weekend," forecasters said. A tropical storm becomes a hurricane when maximum sustained winds reach at least 74 mph. Hurricanes are rated on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, ranging from Category 1 to Category 5, with 5 being the most severe. A storm is considered a major hurricane when it reaches Category 3 strength, with sustained winds of at least 111 mph, according to the NHC. Watches and warnings in place As of 2 p.m. ET Friday, these are the following advisories in place, according to the NHC: Tropical storm watches are in effect for: Anguilla and Barbuda St. Martin and St. Barthelemy Saba and St. Eustatius Sint Maarten Forecasters added that, "Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area by early Saturday." A 'tropical storm watch' means tropical storm conditions are possible in the areas within the next 48 hours. How is hurricane season shaping up? The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1 and runs through the end of November, has a 50% chance of being above normal. Last week, forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration slightly updated the number of expected storms to 13-18 (estimated at 13-19 in May), five of which could become major hurricanes (with winds of more than 111 mph). A typical hurricane season averages 14 named storms. We're currently about halfway through this year's hurricane season, and as of Friday, Aug. 15, there have been six so far: tropical storms Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dexter, and now Hurricane Erin.
