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U.S. 1 in the Keys reopens as officials contain large brush fire

Smoke from fires fill the sky
AP
/
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners
This photo provided by shows smoking from fires on Miami-Dade side fill the sky on Card Sound Road heading to the Florida Keys on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

This story was updated on Wednesday, March 19, at 1:37 p.m.

One of the only two roads that go in and out of the Florida Keys has reopened after a large brush fire forced authorities to it shut down Tuesday afternoon.

Monroe County Sheriffs Deputies said they reopened the 18-Mile Stretch of U.S. 1, but Card Sound Road remains closed at this time.

The blaze was on the Miami-Dade portion of Card Sound Road, which starts in Florida City and continues South into Key Largo. 

One motorist told the Miami Herald, WLRN news partner, that the plume of smoke from the brush fire could be seen "for miles." The cause of the wildfire remains unknown. No injuries have been reported. 

As of last night, the Monroe County Sheriff's office was advising motorists to avoid traveling on the 18-Mile Stretch. But they urge you to proceed with caution if you must make the trip.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service are working to contain the fire. For weeks, forecasters have been warning of possible wildfires across the southeast U.S. amid dry and windy conditions.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office is encouraging motorists to download their agency's app via the Apple App Store or Google Play for traffic updates. They will also update Facebook and X social media pages.

READ MORE: Red flag warning issued for South Florida due to wildfire threat

This is a News In Brief report. Visit WLRN News for in-depth reporting from South Florida and Florida news.

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