Smoke from a brush fire in west Miami-Dade, near Doral, raised alarms on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. Although nearly 22,000 acres have been affected since last week, firefighters have managed to almost contain the fires by Monday. Despite containment efforts, air quality in the area remains a significant concern.

Chris Fisher, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service in Miami, explained that high containment numbers simply mean that the fires continue to burn within a set perimeter, not that they are entirely extinguished. The Quarry Fire near Northwest 137th Avenue and 41st Street, west of Doral, has burned about 19,000 acres and reached 97% containment by Sunday. Another fire, the Wells Fire near Northwest 122nd Avenue and 58th Street, affected approximately 2,750 acres and was 85% contained. A third fire in the Everglades, covering 330 acres, was only 15% contained by Monday.

The fires originated during a thunderstorm on June 14, prompting extensive firefighting efforts and evacuations. Communities near the fires have experienced smoke, soot, and ash.

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Though the fires show signs of subsiding, Miami-Dade County remains under an air quality alert until 3 p.m. Tuesday. Fisher warned of worsening surface smoke overnight, with reduced wind activity from thunderstorms. The National Weather Service predicts possible showers and thunderstorms on Tuesday, potentially introducing patchy smoke across Miami-Dade.

Additionally, the forecast calls for humidity with temperatures ranging from the mid-90s to the upper-70s. Fisher advised residents to exercise caution due to air quality and weather conditions. Outdoor activities should be limited, especially during the evening and early morning. Staying indoors with closed windows might be necessary for those sensitive to pollution, particularly people working outdoors at night.