Noticing ash and haze over Coral Springs? What to know about the fires causing it

If you’re seeing something falling from the sky other than rain, your eyes aren’t playing a trick on you. Two major fires in north Miami-Dade County are carrying ash and haze over Broward up to Coral Springs.

The Quarry 2 Fire started Monday, June 15, near Doral and has grown to 6,500 acres as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the Florida Forest Service map. A second wildfire started on Tuesday and has burned about 500 acres as of June 17.

Both started from natural causes and are about 25-30% contained. Winds are blowing the smoke north into Palm Beach County, according to satellite data.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service have conducted aerial water drops to tamp down the flames while additional crews battle the fire from the ground.

“Overnight weather conditions may cause smoke to settle closer to the ground in surrounding communities,” Miami-Dade fire officials said Tuesday night. “Those near the affected areas may see or smell smoke.”

Fire rescue advises those with preexisting respiratory conditions to stay inside, with air quality monitors in Broward classifying conditions as of Wednesday afternoon as moderate.

The National Weather Service issuing an air quality alert for the morning of June 17 for smoke and particulate matter bordering on unhealthy levels for sensitive groups.