MIRAMAR, Fla. (WSVN) — The tide has turned on a large brush fire in Northwest Miami-Dade that, officials said, began as a pile burn that got out of control and scorched more than 200 acres this weekend.
According to the Florida Forest Service, the fire began on private property in the area of West Okeechobee Road, west of the Florida Turnpike and near U.S. 27, Saturday morning. An individual had obtained a burn permit, but the flames jumped their containment area and spread rapidly onto a rock quarry property.
The blaze initially impacted 10 acres, but as night fell it had burned through 175 acres about one mile south of Interstate 75, near Northwest 186th Street. As of Sunday afternoon, however, the flames are 95 percent contained..
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Miramar Fire Rescue and other agencies responded to the scene as the Florida Highway Patrol monitored the blaze.
Saturday afternoon, Miami-Dade Air Rescue helicopters dropped 25 loads of water on the flames. Forestry crews on the ground have been digging lines to control the spread.
A 7News viewer captured aerial footage of the thick smoke from a drone, and other viewers sent in their own cellphone photos.
Officials said the smoke, which could be seen from several miles away, shifted toward the south. Fortunately, they said, the winds pushed the smoke farther inland and away from populated areas.
Officials said the fire never posed a threat to any structures or roadways. They said the northern end of the fire reached the area of I-75 and Miramar Parkway.
The state allows approved pile burns for people or businesses to burn vegetation or agricultural products. It remains unclear what was initially being burned.