Officially called the 344 fire, the blaze began Tuesday and has swelled to 24,000 acres in size
On Friday, a fire weather watch will be in effect from 8 a.m. into the evening
U.S. 1 will open and close intermittently for an uncertain amount of time for fire operations
Friday also brings a shift in wind direction, which means firefighters’ strategy will shift too, and include more resources to get the flames under control
A wildfire in Southwest Miami-Dade has prompted road closures, scary stories of escape and fierce response from fire crews as it enters its fourth day.
Officially called the 344 fire, the blaze began Tuesday and has swelled to 24,000 acres in size, according to the Florida Forest Service. It was about 30% contained as of Thursday evening.
On Friday, a fire weather watch will be in effect from 8 a.m. into the evening. The day also brings a shift in wind direction, which means firefighters’ strategy will shift too, and include more resources to get the flames under control.
“We’ve had some winds out of the south, southwest, southeast now. They’re moving more towards the north, so that means it’s gonna change the direction of the progression of the fire,” Ludi Bond, of the Florida Forest Service, explained.
Those winds also change where the smoke and ash impacts are felt, and the priority remains keeping the flames away from structures, communities and the Homestead-Miami Speedway, where thousands are expected this weekend for the NASCAR Cup series.
Advertisement
“We did receive new resources today, firefighting resources. So the Florida Forest Service ordered two new strike teams of engines. They arrived today. There’ll be boots on the ground [Friday],” Bond said.
Crews are bracing for changing winds as they enter their fourth day of fighting the 344 Fire, which means a shift in strategy. NBC6’s Jamie Guirola reports
What roads are closed?
U.S. 1 will open and close intermittently for an uncertain amount of time for fire operations, officials said.
Are there any injuries or threatened structures?
There were no reported injuries as of Thursday. The area where the fire broke out is largely rural. Officials said no structures are threatened.
What is a fire weather watch?
This combination of low humidity, lack of rain and gusty winds has prompted a fire weather watch, meaning that “any fire that develops could catch and spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended,” the National Weather Service says.
Advertisement
This means firefighters will have to battle unfavorable conditions as they work to contain the 344 fire.
FIRE WEATHER WATCH in effect for tomorrow, Friday 21st, for Palm Beach, Broward, & Miami-Dade Co. due to low relative humidity, with northerly winds 10-15 mph, & existing drought conditions. There are elevated fire weather concerns and outdoor burning is NOT recommended. pic.twitter.com/T0HkjEGxTQ
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said it is working with the Florida Forest Service to put out the fire. Crews were seen on the ground and in the air, working around the clock.
The Florida Forest Service gave NBC6 a closer look at the firefight along Card Sound Road.
“It is dry enough for everything to burn, but wet enough that we can’t put our equipment there without sinking. So it’s very challenging,” said Kevin MacEwen with the Florida Forest Service.
Advertisement
Aerial operations have been crucial in this battle as Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service can’t access certain areas on the ground.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s Air Rescue mission involves deploying Bambi Buckets to release water into the hotspots. There are two MDFR chopper crews actively working the fire, circling back every 1 to 2 minutes.
NBC6 observed helicopters hovering over a lake near the Homestead-Miami Speedway and using the buckets to collect the water. The helicopters then fly over back to the fire to dump the water there.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service give a look into the challenging fight against a wildfire in southwest Miami-Dade. NBC6’s Laura Rodriguez reports
“It’s probably one of the more dangerous operations that we conduct. We do conduct a lot of training on it,” said Chief Pilot Robert Wallis of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
Advertisement
The Florida Forest Service has four helicopters on the scene, along with four planes. Each bucket carries about 320 gallons of water.
“Aviation is always a risky business to some level but it is inherently safe, and fire is also a potentially dangerous operation so when we mix the two … but you know we are extremely cautious,” said Francis Neeley of Florida Forest Service Aviation. “We go through protocol, we do checklists, and this is why we do briefings before and debriefings after.”
A warning to drone operators
Firefighters made a plea to people with drones.
“They don’t mix,” Bond said. “We’ve noticed a couple of drone intrusions [Thursday]. That really can hinder firefighting efforts and put our firefighters and our communities at risk, so we need people to stay away with their drones and don’t come out with them.”
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A three-vehicle crash in southwest Miami-Dade triggered a large emergency response Saturday night, leaving 10 people injured, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
MDFR units responded around 8:03 p.m. to the area of Southwest 28th Street and Southwest 107th Avenue after receiving reports of a massive crash.
Advertisement
Officials said 13 units arrived on scene and found a total of 10 adult patients.
Three people were taken to a local hospital with injuries. One of the passengers, a woman, was pronounced dead at the hospital.
No additional details have been released.
🏠 News From Your Neighborhood
Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.
Advertisement
Pablo Hernandez
Pablo Hernandez is a Digital Journalist at WPLG. He was born in Cuba and has lived in Miami, Florida since 2002.
It’s time for the 13th Detroit Lions OnSI mock draft roundup for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Advertisement
Over the last week, the Lions have increasingly prioritized finding an EDGE to complement Aidan Hutchinson at No. 17 overall.
Advertisement
Let’s take a look now at who the draft pundits have Lions general manager Brad Holmes selecting in the first round.
Offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
Mauigoa is presently being projected by the following:
Pro Football Network (Alec Elijah)
Advertisement
EDGE Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)
Advertisement
Mesidor is presently being mocked by the following:
A to Z Sports (Mike Payton; Lions trade down to No. 26 overall); NFL.com (Bucky Brooks); Pro Football Focus (Jordan Plocher);CBS Sports (Garrett Podell)
As Plocher pens, “The Lions are finally able to add a consistent pass-rush threat opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Only one time since Hutchinson has been in Detroit has another Lions defender topped 50 hurries in a season, and that was Al-Quadin Muhammad in 2025 (53), but he left in free agency.
Mesidor was one of the most productive pass rushers in college football in 2025, amassing 13 sacks, four quarterback hits and 50 hurries on 445 pass-rush snaps. He finished the 2025 season with a 94.2 PFF pass-rushing grade against true pass sets, the second-best mark in the draft class.”
Advertisement
EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)
Advertisement
Bain is presently being selected by the following:
FOX Sports (Joel Klatt)
As Klatt pens, “I think the Lions could really use another pass rusher, even if they already have Aidan Hutchinson. Putting Bain with Hutchinson would give Detroit two members on the All-Motor Team. They would wear offensive tackles out. How would opposing teams shift their protections? One of them would get a one-on-one matchup that they would win.”
Offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, Utah
Advertisement
Lomu is presently being selected by the following:
Advertisement
Pro Football Network (Jacob Infante);Pro Football Network (T.J. Randall)
As Infante explains, “Few expected the level of regression the Detroit Lions experienced in 2025. After the release of long-time starting left tackle Taylor Decker, they find themselves with a big hole along an offensive line that already took a step back after key departures the previous offseason.
Caleb Lomu is a smooth, polished left tackle who didn’t allow a single sack in 382 pass-blocking reps during the 2025 regular season. His hand timing, balance, and range in pass protection make him a top offensive tackle prospect and a worthy first-round selection in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft.”
Offensive tackle Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Advertisement
Freeling is currently being mocked by the following:
Advertisement
Detroit Lions On SI (Christian Booher); FOX Sports (Ben Arthur); Sports Illustrated (Daniel Flick)
As Flick writes, “The Lions released starting left tackle Taylor Decker and now need a replacement in the draft. Freeling, who’s risen from unheralded to likely first-round pick, is an athletic mover with plenty of bend and agility. He needs to keep getting stronger, but Freeling could be a tremendous blindside blocker at the next level.”
Offensive tackle Blake Miller, Clemson
Miller is presently being mocked by the following:
Advertisement
The Detroit News (Nolan Bianchi); NFL.com (Mike Band);The Draft Network (Jaime Eisner)
Advertisement
As Eisner opines, “The Taylor Decker era is over in Detroit and a new left tackle is needed. Enter Blake Miller, a name that is rising up draft boards as we inch closer to April. Miller has a phenomenal college resume with good size and a ton of power. He’s played mostly right tackle, but he should have no issues moving over to the left side if needed or sticking at right tackle with Penei Sewell moving over. Miller and Sewell can form a formidable bookend tandem in Detroit.”
Offensive tackle Spencer Fano, Utah
Fano is presently being selected by the following:
CBS Sports (Pete Prisco)
Advertisement
Offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Advertisement
Proctor is presently being selected by the following:
ESPN (Field Yates); NFL.com (Charles Davis); USA Today (Google Gemini); CBS Sports (Josh Edwards); WalterFootball (Charlie Campbell)
As Yates opines, “Left tackle is a sizable need for Detroit with the departure of Taylor Decker after 10 seasons. Proctor is a sizable answer to the problem — literally — at 6-7, 352 pounds. He has power when he gets his hands on defenders in the running game as well.
Proctor’s tape had up-and-down moments during his final college season, as sometimes his foot quickness was overmatched by edge rushers. But the upside is immense for the 20-year-old left tackle, who started all 40 games he appeared in at Alabama.”
As tens of thousands of electronic music fans descend on downtown Miami for the Ultra Music Festival this weekend, some residents living near Bayfront Park say the celebration comes at a cost they bear year after year.
Visitors from more than 100 countries are expected to attend the three-day festival. While organizers and city leaders tout the economic and cultural impact of the event, nearby residents say road closures, limited park access, and high noise levels disrupt daily life in an area that has grown increasingly residential.
“It’s kind of stressful, and it’s definitely an imposition,” said Laura Okamura, who lives along Biscayne Boulevard near the festival grounds. “The people who suffer the most are the people who live at 50 Biscayne.”
Newer residential towers now surround Bayfront Park, a shift neighbors say city leaders and festival organizers must account for as Ultra negotiates its next contract with Miami.
Advertisement
A Miami commissioner visited residents to hear their concerns
District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo visited Okamura’s building Friday night to hear concerns from residents firsthand. He said a public meeting scheduled for April 2 will allow surrounding neighbors to voice their grievances as the city considers the festival’s future.
“It seems doable,” Pardo said. “People really like this event. People in this building, people on the street, enjoy the event, but they also want to be heard. And they want to be sure their basic needs are met.”
Noise remains one of the biggest issues for nearby residents. Colby Leider, a sound engineer, said early-evening readings near the festival hovered between 80 and 85 decibels. Historically, neighbors say volumes increase as the night goes on.
“Eighty-five is a very important number in human hearing,” Leider said. “It’s the level above which exposure begins to potentially cause hearing loss.”
Residents say they want stricter noise controls and traffic mitigation plans written into Ultra’s new agreement with the city. They stress they are not pushing to cancel the festival, but want accommodations that reflect how downtown Miami has changed since Ultra began in the city.
Advertisement
“It’s about understanding how a neighborhood has grown and how an event that has existed for 26 years can harmonize over time,” Pardo said.
Okamura echoed that sentiment, saying neighbors are asking festival organizers to act responsibly. “We are not asking Ultra not to have the concert,” she said. “We are asking them to be a good neighbor. This is our home. This is where we live.”
Representatives from Ultra Music Festival and the Bayfront Park Management Trust are expected to attend the April 2 meeting at 6 p.m. to discuss potential changes to the festival’s contract with the city. The meeting will take place at Live Arts Lab Theater, building 1, room 1101. Ultra Music Festival runs through the weekend at Bayfront Park, with road closures and traffic expected throughout downtown Miami.
