What Miami Red Flag Warning Means Amid Florida Brush Fires

Firefighters are still working to contain the brush fire in Southwest Miami-Dade County.

March 20, 2025

Image: Screenshot of a brush fire in Southwest Miami-Dade County

There is an increased risk for fires in South Florida on Thursday as firefighters are already battling a major large brush fire in Southwest Miami-Dade. Screenshot via NBC 6 South Florida/YouTube

What happens on the ground matters — Your support makes it possible.

We’re aiming to raise $6,000 by August 10, so we can deepen our reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now: grassroots protests, immigration, politics and more.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$6,000

$1,400

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "22004575",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "22595215",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17482312",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18711090",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "23181625",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18711090",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17720761",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

South Florida will be under an elevated fire threat from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, so please hold off on building a bonfire for that backyard party you had planned.

The National Weather Service (NWS) Miami issued a red flag warning for most of South Florida — Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties — as relative humidity values could drop as low as 30 percent and southwesterly winds could ramp up, increasing the risk of fires developing and spreading.

"With most of South Florida already under drought conditions, this will lead to critical fire weather concerns Thursday afternoon," NWS warns.

Low RH values and breezy SW winds on Thursday will result in critical fire conditions. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for much of South FL tomorrow from 11 AM until 8 PM. #flwx pic.twitter.com/l0CaXbcPbd
— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) March 19, 2025

Brian McNoldy, a researcher at University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, says it's wildfire season in the Magic City. "By the end of the dry season, things are usually pretty crispy," he tells New Times. "This winter has been especially dry, amplifying that risk."

Meanwhile, firefighters are still battling a large brush fire that broke out on Tuesday in Southwest Miami-Dade, leading to the shutdown of Card Sound Road and the 18-mile stretch of U.S. 1 in both directions toward the Florida Keys.

"[Miami-Dade Fire Rescue] continues working alongside [Florida Forest Service] to contain the brush fire near the 40800 block and Card Sound Road," Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter on Wednesday. "The fire is approximately 4,000 acres, with 20 percent contained. Although the fire is not near any commercial or residential areas, we urge our community to stay informed about any possible road closures and stay safe."

#MDFR continues working alongside @FLForestService to contain the brush fire near the 40800 block and Card Sound Rd. The fire is approximately 4,000 acres, with 20% contained.

Although the fire is not near any commercial or residential areas, we urge our community to stay… pic.twitter.com/Pt2bF9jLL7
— Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (@MiamiDadeFire) March 19, 2025

People with respiratory conditions should try to limit their expose to the smoke, according to MDFR. Additional road closures are possible as workers try to put out the fire.

"Keep your vehicle windows closed and run your air conditioner on recirculate to keep the air inside the vehicle as clean as possible," fire rescue urges.

Naomi Feinstein is a staff writer of Miami New Times where she primarily focuses on news. Naomi started her career with New Times as a summer intern in 2019, then returned as a fellow in August 2022 before joining the staff full-time in February 2023. She graduated from University of Miami where she contributed to the student-run newspaper, the Miami Hurricane. She holds a master’s degree and graduated with honors from the Columbia School of Journalism. In 2021, Naomi was recognized as the College Journalist of the Year from the Society of Professional Journalists of Florida, and she placed second for Best General News Story in the 2021 Pinnacle Awards.

A message from Naomi Feinstein: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of essential stories and to investigate issues that matter.

Support Today