Chaos ensued in West Miami-Dade as a fierce grass fire caused the shutdown of local roadways, filling the sky with ominous smoke and prompting concerns for public safety. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue teams were dispatched to the blaze near Southwest 137th Avenue and Eighth Street, which broke out around 2:14 p.m. Sunday, as reported by Local 10. Officials said that to combat the threat to structures in the vicinity, they escalated to a second alarm, bringing additional firefighting units to the scene.

Visibility in the area was substantially reduced due to the heavy smoke, resulting in the closure of nearby roads. Crews worked tirelessly alongside the Florida Forest Service, eventually containing the fire that had spread through nearly 20 acres. The situation led to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue urging residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, to remain inside and keep windows and doors shut. In a statement obtained by 7News, Erika Benitez, a spokesperson for the department, advised, "If you’re at home or in your vehicle traveling, please keep your windows closed and your [air conditioner] recirculating inside your vehicle or your home."

Local residents expressed alarm as the fire escalated. "It’s way worse. Like, you can see it from far away, from like Bird Road," resident Waleska Moreira told 7News as she recounted her earlier experience before the fire's expansion. More than 18 fire rescue units were reported to have responded, a number that underscores the seriousness of the situation and the high stakes involved in protecting the community.

The grass fire strikes during what is known as South Florida's dry season, a period stretching until the end of May. With meteorologists highlighting drier conditions than usual and no rain forecast for the early part of the week, officials from the Florida Department of Agriculture have been urging residents to be "fire ready."