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.