Florida Division of Forestry and Miami-Dade firefighters spent much of Monday containing several hot spots throughout 500 acres of forest on the edge of the Everglades. Fire Department officials said they have not determined the cause of the fires, which approached a Shona Homes neighborhood and caused minor roof damage to one home under construction. A firefighter who suffered smoke inhalation was recovering Monday.
Fire officials stressed that the fires, among several that flared across Florida over the weekend, no longer posed any danger to housing. But they warned that without rain, more fires could be on the way.
"I would like to say we will not see any more of these brush fires, but the reality is dry grass, low humidity and windy conditions make it perfect for grass fires to erupt," said Cynthia Martinez, spokeswoman for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
Martinez said people should be careful to avoid anything that could spark a fire in very dry grass. A bike wheel rubbing against dry grass can cause a spark that can turn into acres of difficult-to-stop fires, she said.
Another fire, which burned 3,300 acres in northwest Miami-Dade over the weekend, had been extinguished.
The fires in southwest Miami-Dade started about 5:40 p.m. Sunday in an area made up largely of melaleuca trees and wild grass, said Bob Rehr, spokesman for the Division of Forestry.
As the fires spread near residential areas, fire officials asked hundreds of residents to evacuate. At one time, about 100 firefighters fought the blaze, which came close enough to burn the yard grass and outdoor furniture of some homes in the area.
The residents gathered at a shopping center at 157th and Bird Road in southwest Miami-Dade until they were able to return Sunday night.
Fire officials said firefighters need to be on the lookout for possible hot spots, but the worst is behind them.
"We don't feel there are any homes in danger," Rehr said.
