Brush Fires Spread Through Miami-Dade, Affecting Air Quality and Road Access
On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, smoke billowed from a brush fire in west Miami-Dade, just west of Doral. The fire encompasses 5,300 acres and is 30% contained as of that morning. Three fires are actively burning in Miami-Dade County, resulting in persistent dark smoke, deteriorating air quality, and sporadic road closures.
A lightning strike is responsible for the blazes, which have scorched over 20,000 acres since Sunday. The initial fire began near Krome Avenue during a thunderstorm and split into two, the Quarry 2 Fire and the Wells Fire. The Quarry 2 Fire has grown to 19,000 acres with 97% containment, while the Wells Fire covers 1,425 acres and is 70% contained, based on data from the Florida Forest Service.
The Quarry 2 Fire started near Northwest 137th Avenue and Northwest 41st Street. The Wells Fire ignited near Northwest 122nd Avenue and Northwest 58th Street. “As weather and wind conditions change, community members may continue seeing or smelling smoke, and nearby roads may become smoky or hazy,” stated Miami-Dade Fire Rescue in a Saturday update.
Some southbound lanes on Florida’s Turnpike have reopened, though Krome Avenue remains closed and may reopen later today. Trail Glades, a public shooting range near Krome Avenue, announced it remained closed on Sunday.
A third fire, named the Coptic Fire, broke out Wednesday in the Everglades due to another lightning strike. It has expanded to nearly 5,000 acres and is 40% contained.
Florida’s ongoing drought is expected to last throughout the summer. Experts note that minimal precipitation is needed to spark and spread fires. “We need multiple rainstorms to exit the drought,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill explained. Additional rainfall could assist emergency crews working nonstop to control the flames.
Rain chances range from 50% to 60% over the weekend, yet it remains uncertain if these showers will impact the fires. “Rainfall is definitely needed,” commented National Weather Service Miami meteorologist Chris Fisher.
According to AirNow, Miami-Dade County currently holds a “moderate” air quality rating. This is coupled with a heat advisory from the National Weather Service, forecasting heat index values up to 110 degrees.
If smoke affects your vicinity, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue recommends spending less time outdoors, keeping windows and doors closed, and setting air conditioning systems to recirculate. The fires prompted evacuation for over 200 residents near Krome Avenue. However, evacuees from Jones Fish Camp have been cleared to return home, as confirmed by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
This article was first published on June 20, 2026, at 11:48 AM.