Brush Fires Threaten Homes in S. Florida

About 100 people evacuated their homes Saturday as a 150-acre brush fire burned out of control, officials said.

Meanwhile, an 800-acre brush fire posed a possible threat to homes and businesses in southwest Miami-Dade County.

In Martin County near Stuart, four firefighters were injured--two from smoke inhalation and two from heat exhaustion, said Keith Holman, director of the county Emergency Management Service.

The fire started Saturday in a grassy area surrounded by houses and mobile homes. No buildings were reported destroyed.

The 800-acre brush fire forced authorities to close part of U.S. Highway 41, known as the Tamiami Trail. Smoke blanketed a 2-mile stretch of the highway, which connects Miami and Naples through the Everglades.

The fire broke out near some homes and businesses, Division of Forestry spokeswoman Heather Allison said.

Since January, Florida has had about 1,300 fires, which have consumed at least 89,000 acres. Officials say it’s the state’s worst drought in 200 years.