Miami-Dade Wildfires: Containment Update and Air Quality Concerns

Smoke ascends during a brush fire in west Miami-Dade, near Doral, following a June 17, 2026 blaze. The fires have burned close to 22,000 acres since they started last week, and although nearly contained by Monday, air quality remains a pressing issue.

Chris Fisher, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Miami, emphasized, “Even though the containment is high, it is still burning. It just means that it’s burning inside that containment.”

The Quarry Fire, located near Northwest 137th Avenue and 41st Street, west of Doral, consumed about 19,000 acres and reached 97% containment by Sunday. Another fire, the Wells Fire near Northwest 122nd Avenue and 58th Street, burned around 2,750 acres, achieving 85% containment. Additionally, a smaller 330-acre wildfire in the Everglades was only 15% contained as of Monday.

The fires were ignited on June 14 by a thunderstorm. Since then, dozens of firefighters have been on the ground battling the blazes while hundreds of residents evacuated their homes. Nearby communities have been affected by smoke, soot, and ash.

An air quality alert remains in effect for Miami-Dade County through 3 p.m. Tuesday. According to Fisher, surface smoke may intensify overnight as thunderstorm winds decrease. There’s a possibility of showers and thunderstorms Tuesday morning and afternoon, which might spread patchy smoke across metro Miami-Dade. The forecast predicts humid conditions with temperatures reaching the mid-90s and dropping to the upper-70s.

Fisher advises caution given the poor air quality, high heat, and humidity levels. Residents should minimize outdoor activities, especially during evening and early morning hours. It is recommended to remain indoors with windows closed. Those with sensitivities and outdoor workers are particularly vulnerable.