Smoke filled the sky over west Miami-Dade on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, as a brush fire, located west of Doral, spanned 5,300 acres and remained 30% contained. Residents across Miami-Dade County have been experiencing dark smoke, poor air quality, and periodic road closures. This is due to three ongoing brush fires fueled by a lightning strike that has already burned over 20,000 acres since Sunday.
Initial reports indicate that the first fire ignited in grassy areas close to Krome Avenue during a thunderstorm. This event led to the split into two separate fires: the Quarry 2 Fire and the Wells Fire. The Quarry 2 Fire covers 19,000 acres and is 97% contained, while the Wells Fire has burned 1,425 acres with a containment of 70%, as per the Florida Forest Service. The Quarry 2 Fire started near Northwest 137th Avenue and Northwest 41st Street, whereas the Wells Fire was initiated around Northwest 122nd Avenue and Northwest 58th Street.
“As weather and wind conditions change, residents and visitors may still see or smell smoke, while nearby roads could face smoky or hazy conditions,” stated Miami-Dade Fire Rescue in an update.
As of now, southbound lanes on Florida’s Turnpike from Okeechobee Road to Northwest 41st Street have reopened. However, Krome Avenue remains closed from Okeechobee Road to Southwest Eighth Street and is expected to reopen soon. The Trail Glades public shooting range near Krome Avenue continues to be closed.
Another fire in the Everglades, known as the Coptic Fire, started on Wednesday after a second lightning strike and has expanded to nearly 5,000 acres, with a containment level of 40%.
The drought affecting Florida is expected to persist through summer, making it easier for brush fires to ignite. “Multiple rainstorms are needed to end the drought,” commented AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill.
Currently, there is a 50% to 60% chance of rain predicted over the weekend, although it is uncertain if these showers will cover the affected areas, according to Chris Fisher, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service Miami.
AirNow, a U.S. program for monitoring air quality, has categorized Miami-Dade County under a “moderate” air quality rating. Additionally, the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Saturday, expecting heat index values to reach up to 110 degrees.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue advises reducing outdoor exposure, keeping doors and windows shut, and setting air conditioning units to recirculate in areas impacted by smoke. Evacuations were initiated as more than 200 people voluntarily left a trailer park near Krome Avenue. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office announced that residents evacuated from Jones Fish Camp could return on Saturday.