MIAMI – Officials are urging residents in Miami-Dade County to remain indoors due to smoke and ash from a brush fire burning in west Broward Country.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue tweeted out the warning Friday afternoon.
Winds have pushed the plume of smoke from the fire directly south over wide sections of Miami-Dade County. A Dense Smoke Advisory is in effect for Miami-Dade and Broward until Saturday morning.
Authorities said six students got sick while outside for PE at Bel-Aire Elementary School in Cutler Bay.
One student was taken to the hospital.
"I was running (and) I noticed the ash coming. I started to cough," Darnelle Joubert, who is a student at the school, said.
Miami Dade County's daily air quality report showed the air quality improving by mid-afternoon. A label of moderate is just below good, but still makes it unhealthy for people with compromised health to do anything physical outside.
As of Friday, the fire had burned more than 4,800 acres and forced evacuations for a nearby fish champ. The evacuations were lifted Friday afternoon.
Tourists were turned away from Everglades Holiday Park as the attraction was closed Thursday and part of Friday. Air boat rides have since resumed at the park.
A Red Flag Warning was issued for all of South Florida until 8 p.m. Friday, meaning conditions exist for more brush fires.
Authorities said they are especially warning those who are sensitive to smoke, like children and people with asthma, to limit their time outdoors.
#MDFRSafety Due to brush fire burning in SW Broward, some areas of @MiamiDadeCounty may be experiencing smoky/ashy conditions. #StayIndoors
— MDFR (@MiamiDadeFire) April 7, 2017