Miami-Dade firefighters pull out of once massive wildfires as blazes near end

For nearly two weeks, wildfires — the first of which was spawned along Krome Avenue from a lightning strike and split into two blazes spanning over 22,000 acres — have suffocated neighborhoods in western Miami-Dade County. Now, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue says its diligent job is done, signaling full containment of the fires soon.

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On Thursday, fire rescue announced its firefighters have cleared from the front lines of the blazes, and the Florida Forest Service will now solely be monitoring the fires’ end. Hundreds of Miami-Dade firefighters were called from over 70 fire stations. Dozens of fire engines, water trucks and air water drops were utilized.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Raied “Ray” Jadallah posted on X: “Over the past 10 days, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Florida Forest Service, U.S. Wildland Fire Service, local, state, & federal partners worked as one team to battle & contain the nearly 30,000-acre brush fires in West Miami-Dade. Thank you for your dedication, resilience, & commitment to protecting our community.”

The original blaze was sparked on June 14 during thunderstorms in the grassy flats near Krome Avenue. It eventually became two fires: Quarry 2 and Well. A few days later, a third blaze, called Corrections, began in an adjacent flat of the previous pair.

READ MORE: 200 people leave their homes as growing fires menace West Miami-Dade

Together, they have burned over 22,000 acres, according to the Florida Forest Service. Quarry 2 has reached 97% containment, Wells is at 85% and Corrections sits at 95%.

The blazes caused large swaths of road closures with a few voluntary evacuations. A large portion of Krome Avenue was shut down for most of the past 11 days, while some regions of Florida’s Turnpike were also closed.

A trailer-park community along Krome also saw more than 200 people voluntarily leave as smoke, soot and ash flooded their neighborhood, authorities said.

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement evacuated immigrants housed at the Krome detention center just a few miles from the blazes “out of an abundance of caution.” Detainees were transferred to other facilities in and out of Florida this past weekend. It is unclear if they have returned to the detention center.

READ MORE: Brush fires prompt evacuation of Krome detention center for immigrants, ICE says

While Doral, Sweetwater, Tamiami and other areas near the fires did not see evacuations, officials warned air quality was diminishing due to the smoke, which could have caused health issues for some residents.

Authorities urged people to limit their time outdoors and to keep their windows closed.

As of Thursday, most of west Miami-Dade scored good air-quality levels, according to AirNow.gov.

READ MORE: Fires that burned 22,000 acres in Miami-Dade nearly contained. What about air?

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