Crews Get Massive SW Miami-Dade Brush Fire Under Control
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Miami-Dade Fire crews said they have mostly contained a massive blaze that burned hundreds of acres in southwest Miami-Dade.
Fire officials said the blaze started near 167th Avenue and SW 56 Street.
Chopper4 was over the scene Thursday afternoon as smoke billowed from the area.
Dade fire officials said, so far, up to 400 acres have burned. Fire officials said the fire spread past Krome Avenue.
Twelve Miami-Dade Fire units and six units from the Florida Forest Service were at the scene. That included air rescue helicopters dropping water.
Drivers were asked to avoid the area due to road closures.
Officials closed down 167th Avenue from Miller Drive to SW 47th Street and Krome Avenue from SW 8th Street to Kendall Drive.
At last check, no structures were endangered but windy weather had forced fire crews to set up a perimeter at nearby homes as a precaution.
And even though the wind was blowing the fire westward away from homes, residents were terrified how close the fire got.
"It's pretty scary. You know, being a mom, I just wanna pack up and go and come back when it's done," said resident Isabel Steinbring.
"It happens every once in a while when it's dry. And that's what you can expect when it doesn't rain. It happens too often, though," said John Burns, who also lives close by.
Firefighters said they have mostly controlled the fire thanks to the weather.
"We've experienced these condition before. We've been making headway on a fire and from one moment to the next, the wind changes speed and direction and now we're retreating from an area," said Lt. Arnold Piedrahita. "It's fortunate right now that the weather is playing in our favor, is playing in the favor of the firefighters...the winds are expected to die down at this point."
Of course, crews must continue to keep an eye on hot spots and wind conditions.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Related: Wildfire Cases Have Increased In South Florida