MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A series of wildfires burning across west Miami-Dade are now nearly contained after huge flames and smoke shut down a stretch of the Turnpike on Friday.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said all southbound lanes of Florida’s Turnpike were shut down Friday from Okeechobee Road to Northwest 41st Street to support firefighting operations and protect drivers as smoke and flames pushed close to the roadway. Northbound lanes remained open, while Florida’s Turnpike later reported that southbound lanes had reopened overnight as conditions evolved.

Drivers described heavy smoke blanketing the highway as emergency crews worked near the fire lines. One motorist told CBS News Miami, “Oh my God, it looks like the end of the world,” as flames and smoke were visible from the roadway in Doral.

Officials said the closures were tied in part to tactical backburns, intentionally set fires used to strip fuel from ahead of advancing wildfire lines. Chopper footage showed flames burning through vegetation near the Turnpike as firefighters worked to contain the blazes.

Krome Avenue also remained closed Friday in west Miami-Dade between Okeechobee Road and Southwest 8th Street, where additional backfires were used as part of suppression efforts, CBS Miami reported.

Fire officials said multiple blazes have burned across the area over several days, including the Quarry 2 Fire, which has scorched about 17,600 acres west of Doral and Sweetwater and is now roughly 97% contained. The Well Fire, burning northeast of that blaze, is about 70% contained, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The Well Fire, burning northeast of that blaze, is about 70% contained. (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services)

The Well Fire, burning northeast of that blaze, is about 70% contained. (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services)

Residents in nearby communities were briefly ordered to evacuate as smoke thickened and flames spread toward conservation land. “We all had to leave from the trailers,” one resident told CBS Miami, describing confusion as crews carried out controlled burns nearby.

Officials warned that wildfire smoke continues to impact air quality across South Florida, urging residents near affected areas to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and limit exposure.

Firefighters continue working around the clock to bring remaining hotspots under control as road restrictions and smoke conditions fluctuate across west Miami-Dade.