Brush fires burn west of Miami-Dade's Country Walk area

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – At least four separate brush fires burned west of Krome Avenue, also known as State Road 997, Wednesday afternoon, according to the Miami-Dade Fire Department. 

Firefighters responded to a canal along Southwest 187th Avenue to monitor brush fires in several areas parallel to Southwest 88th, 122nd and 136th streets.  

By around 10 p.m., the fires were 75 percent contained after 10 acres were burned. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but forestry officials said the blaze does appear to be suspicious.

The smoke was visible from the Esperanza Estate equestrian center and other homes and businesses in the agricultural area west of the Country Walk, Hammocks and West Kendall neighborhoods. 

At one point, the flames threatened a barn full of horses.

"We were just concerned cause there’s about 25 horses there," said resident Silvia Cruz Alvarez.

The brush fire also endangered a second structure housing a training facility for police dogs.

Miami-Dade Fire Department firefighters and Florida Forest Service crews worked to contain the flames. The fire is mostly contained but fire fighters are crossing fingers hoping the weather cooperates overnight to avoid more flare ups.

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About the Authors:

Roy Ramos joined the Local 10 News team in 2018. Roy is a South Florida native who grew up in Florida City. He attended Christopher Columbus High School, Homestead Senior High School and graduated from St. Thomas University.

Christian De La Rosa joined Local 10 News in April 2017 after spending time as a reporter and anchor in Atlanta, San Diego, Orlando and Panama City Beach.