South Miami-Dade wildfire 'under control,' officials say
Share and Follow


A wildfire in southwest Miami-Dade, known as the 344 Fire, has been burning since March 13, growing to more than 26,000 acres at one point.

MIAMI-DADE, Fla. — The Florida Forest Service continues to monitor the wildfire in southwest Miami-Dade Sunday that has impacted travel to the Florida Keys.

The wildfire, known as the 344 Fire, has been burning since March 13 and has grown to more than 26,000 acres at one point.

Officials said the fire is under control, but not fully contained. The Florida Forest Service on Saturday said the fire was 65% contained.

Officials said dry conditions and land development caused the wildfire.

Across parts of the state, there is an increased threat of wildfires due to dry conditions.

Florida Forest Service Wildfire Mitigation Specialist Ludie Bond said current conditions on the ground in South Florida have mainly been caused by land development. 

“You know here in Florida, we have a lot of infrastructure and a lot of urban areas we called some of those wild urban interface areas,” said Bond. “So while we do have a number of wildfires in Florida the fires are relatively small. That is because of our robust prescribed burn program.”

Bond said the 1998 Florida wildfires burned more than 500,000 acres, but the lessons have helped the agency create the prescribed burning program. 

The Florida Forest Service is warning Florida residents to be cautious when participating in outdoor activities. It says the threat of fires will not begin to die down until the end of spring when there is more rainfall. 

There are no major wildfires on the First Coast, but we are on your side keeping track. Click here to visit the Florida Forest Service’s active wildfires map.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
North Westside Jacksonville shooting leaves man dead

“2 Hospitalized After Shooting at Mississippi Way Block Party, LCPD Reports”

The Lake City Police Department says officers found multiple spent shell casings…
Ozzy Osbourne joined by Metallica, Steven Tyler at final Black Sabbath show

Metallica, Steven Tyler to Perform with Ozzy Osbourne at Last Black Sabbath Concert

A legendary farewell. Black Sabbath reunited for Ozzy Osbourne’s final show with…
Spike in 'Trumpugees' fleeing America... but they'll quickly regret it

Rise in ‘Trumpugees’ leaving the United States… but they will soon feel sorry.

As President Donald Trump’s agenda quickly accelerates to the right, many liberal…
Emma Navarro beats defending Wimbledon champ Barbora Krejcikova

Emma Navarro Upsets Defending Wimbledon Champion Barbora Krejcikova

Barbora Krejcikova, the reigning Wimbledon titleholder, was defeated by the 10th seeded…
Late Queen's verdict on Meghan was 'uncharacteristically damning'

Late Queen’s criticism of Meghan was unusually harsh

The late Queen Elizabeth allegedly ‘saw through’ Meghan Markle, and claimed her…
Utah building explodes into the sky after vehicle crashes into business, causes fire

Utah building explodes into the sky after vehicle crashes into business, causes fire

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A building at a…
A look at some of the deadliest floods in the US in the last 25 years

Examining the most devastating floods in the United States over the past 25 years

Flooding has caused an average of more than 125 deaths per year…
Central Texas flash flooding: North Texans reported missing, deceased

Flash flooding in Central Texas results in missing and deceased individuals from North Texas.

Severe flooding in Central Texas claimed at least 43 lives and left…