MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A brush fire was burning Wednesday morning in west Miami-Dade County, but no homes were being threatened.
The fire started before sunrise near Southwest 137th Avenue and Southwest Eighth Street.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and the Florida Forestry Service were working to extinguish the flames, which continued to burn into the afternoon.
Firefighters didn't say what sparked the fire, but said the grass fire has burned about 440 acres and is 20 percent contained.
The wind was pushing the fire to the west, away from homes and businesses in the area.
But there were still large plumes of smoke filling the air.
For Adolfo Betencourt, who has devoted his life to his family's paintball business, the firefight is just too close for comfort.
"When you see fire coming that close to your business, you get concerned," he said. "You want to make sure your property is protected --that nobody is going to get hurt."
Betencourt and several other people spent part of the day taking matters into their own hands.
"At 7 a.m., we put out a few hoses -- pouring water over to the next property to try to create a water barrier," he said.
So far those efforts have helped along with the wind continually pushing the flames and smoke west away from the row of businesses along Southwest 137th Avenue.
Authorities said those with respiratory problems are advised to stay indoors.
There are currently no closures or evacuations.