A brush fire in western Miami-Dade County had burned thousands of acres by Wednesday morning while a second blaze worsens the smoky conditions.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials said crews responded to the Quarry Fire in the area of Northwest 137th Avenue and Northwest 25th Street shortly before 3 p.m. Monday.
That blaze has burned 4,050 acres and is 30% contained as of Tuesday night, according to the Florida Forest Service. A second fire, the Well Fire, has burned 500 acres and is 25% contained.
No injuries have been reported, but people with respiratory conditions in the area were advised to stay indoors and recirculate the air from their air conditioners.
CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP via Getty ImagesCHANDAN KHANNA / AFP via Getty Images
Smoke rises from a wildfire in west Miami-Dade County near Miami, Florida, on June 16, 2026. Crews are battling the Quarry 2 wildfire, which broke out a day earlier, and has burned about 3,500 acres and was 20% contained, according to Florida’s Active Wildfire Points Map. On June 16, a second wildfire broke out, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and impacting air quality in the Miami metropolitan area. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP via Getty Images)
How to stay safe amid smoky conditions
The smell of smoke has been consistent since the fires started, and some residents in western Broward County awoke Wednesday to ash on their cars. Near the fires, thick smoke clouds the sky.
According to the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map, the air quality is unhealthy in the areas closest to the fire, including Hialeah, Opa-locka, Miramar and more. Areas a bit further north, like Davie, are experiencing moderate air quality.
Today, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and @FLForestService continued working to contain two brush fires in west Miami-Dade.
Firefighters on the ground and in the air worked to contain the fires, monitor conditions, and prevent further spread.#MDFR’s Air Rescue North and Air Rescue… pic.twitter.com/FOcJgIzmiK
— Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (@MiamiDadeFire) June 17, 2026
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said smoke can reduce visibility on the road and cause respiratory issues. Authorities suggest that:
if you must drive through smoke or haze, use extra caution, increase your following distance, and use low-beam headlights.
if smoke is present in your area, limit time outdoors, keep doors and windows closed, and set air conditioning systems to recirculate indoor air. These precautions are especially important for individuals with respiratory conditions.
Radar picks up smoke particles in the air; heat advisory in effect
When there are smoke particles high enough in the air, the radar will show that accumulation the same way it would show rain.
“When you see the smoke on the radar like this, you know it can get into your lungs, that’s why we’re telling folks to try to stay clear of this area if you can,” NBC6 meteorologist Adam Berg said.
While winds on Tuesday pushed the smoke toward more populated areas of Broward County, they may shift on Wednesday to the north-northwest.
With some Saharan Dust in the air, convection will struggle to initiate until later this PM, allowing for another day of increased heat in the afternoon and evening. Heat Advisory is in effect from 12-6 PM with moderate to major HeatRisk resulting in dangerous heat for anyone. pic.twitter.com/kxyBwkARzN
— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) June 17, 2026
Rain would aid in the firefight—but the chance for afternoon thunderstorms is higher further north than the fires.
In better news, the winds will generally be light, meaning the risk that flames will spread is lower. Humidity is also higher, which helps rehydrate dry brush and makes it harder to burn.
A heat advisory is in effect again for feels-like temperatures approaching 108 degrees, which nears record territory for the date. This brings with it “moderate to major” heat risk, “resulting in dangerous heat for anyone,” the National Weather Service said.
Power outages and road closures
Aerial footage from Chopper 6 on Monday showed flames burning near a group of power lines and crews performing water drops from the air. A nearby business was evacuated as a precaution.
Doral Police said the brush fire caused power outages and that as a result, traffic signals weren’t functioning at Northwest 107th Avenue and Northwest 41st Street and Northwest 102nd Avenue and Northwest 41st Street.
“Officers are on-site directing traffic to help maintain the safe flow of traffic. Motorists should use caution, expect delays, and consider alternate routes if possible,” police said in a social media post.