South Dade Brush Fire Burns 45 Acres
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A wind fueled brush fire in Southern Miami-Dade has burned approximately 51 acres.
The fire broke out Sunday afternoon in the area of SW 147th Avenue and SW 200th Street.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and forestry workers worked together to keep the fire from spreading.
Florida Power and Light workers were also called to the area as the flames threatened homes and utility poles. They did have to replace one pole which was damaged by the fire.
As of Monday evening, forestry officials said the fire was about 95 percent contained, but the work isn't done.
"What we're trying to do is go to the most active parts of the fire - a stump that still has active flame - and just douse it with as much water, but then we have to go back and fill up and the water sources out here are far and few between so that's been slowing us up," explained Scott Peterich of the Florida Forest Service.
Brian Dow, a county sanitation employee, said he couldn't collect the garbage at several homes because he saw smoke billowing across the road to get there.
"A lot of smoke and stuff. I'm not going to risk taking the truck down there and risk a fire," he told CBS4's Natalia Zea.
Neighbors were pretty laid back about the flame and smoke, even as they came close to their homes.
"It's a shame to see this happen because this is a very tranquil area. But you can't fight fire. Fire will be looking for you if it can," said resident Walter Husta.
Officials haven't determined how the fire started. "It was more than likely human cause because there was no lightning but we don't know if it was intentional or an accident at this point," said Peterich.
Forestry workers will return to the area Tuesday morning to monitor hot spots.
