‘Under control': Massive brush fire in south Miami-Dade is 80% contained, officials say
A massive brush fire that raged through south Miami-Dade, intermittently shut down roads providing access to the entire Florida Keys and spread across thousands of acres for more than a week is reaching its end phases as officials taut the blaze is 'under control.'
As of early Monday, the Florida Forest Service said the blaze, dubbed the '344 Fire,' covered about 26,719 acres and was 80% contained. It's unclear when residents will see full containment, but officials have been working to extinguish the fire since it started nearly two weeks ago.
Initial forest service figures reveal over 20,000 gallons of flame retardant has been deployed, and its helicopters have performed about 1,435 water drops. Authorities also added it's too early to decipher what damage was caused or the flame's origins.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue also was integral on the front lines of containing the brush fire. On Sunday, the agency said it is now playing a support role in assisting with water supply and sporadic spot fire calls as the blaze was 'under control.'
'Wildland firefighters do not expect the fire to spread further,' fire rescue posted on X. 'However, drivers should remain cautious when traveling through the area, as lingering hot spots may still produce smoky conditions on the road.'
When the blaze proliferated, it caused traffic mayhem in south Miami-Dade as authorities were forced to close the only two pathways into Monroe County — Card Sound Road and the 18-Mile stretch of U.S. 1. Keys residents and travelers saw days of on-and-off closures.
Both roads are now fully open.
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