Miami-Dade County residents were dealing with heavy smoke and major traffic disruptions due to a massive brush fire that broke out Sunday.
Heavy smoke was still lingering in the area Monday morning.
Police temporarily shut down a portion of Southwest 8th Street in both directions due to heavy smoke in the area on Sunday afternoon, after the initial fire broke out just after 2 p.m. near Southwest 8th Street and Southwest 137th Avenue.
It’s a densely populated area with plenty of onlookers who witnessed the terrifying scene up close.
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"I’m keeping an eye on it because if the wind turns you are going to compromise that corner,” resident Dory Doval told NBC6.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue upgraded to a third-alarm fire with about 26 units assisting the Florida Forest Service into Sunday night as the flames continued to spread westward, according to a MDFR. They urged residents to avoid the area and stay indoors.
Fire units were patrolling the area, putting out spot fires and Air Rescue was dispatched to deploy water drops to contain the fire, MDFR said in a statement to NBC6.
Local
About five hours after the fire broke out, flames reached the edge of Southwest 8th Street. At that point, the canal and road were the only thing separating the fire from homes and businesses.
By Sunday night, the brush fire had stretched across 150 acres, according to MDFR. However, Southwest 8th Street reopened, as crews continued to work throughout the night.
The Florida Forest Service monitored the fire overnight and was assisted by Miami Dade Fire.
This is a developing story. Check back with NBC6 for updates.
