FLORIDA - A wildfire in Miami-Dade County Florida shut down access to the Florida Keys on Tuesday on US 1 - with another closure on Thursday. The fire has now increased to over 26,000 acres with containment increasing to 65% as of late Sunday, according to the Florida Forest Service.

Dry and breezy conditions will persist for the Southeast, prompting the issuance of fire weather alerts. It may seem strange for Florida, a typically humid state, to have wildfire danger, but the ongoing drought conditions and high winds have led to critical fire danger. This happens more often in the spring after drier conditions over the winter.

Fire Outlook

The SPC has maintained elevated fire danger back in the Plains through tomorrow. Dry and windy conditions are expected behind a cold front that supports elevated fire potential for these areas.

As with any day, be vigilant not to do anything that could cause a spark or a flame. If an evacuation order is issued for your area, heed it. Any grass fire could exhibit erratic behavior this afternoon.

Make sure to watch WeatherNation for more updates on the ongoing fire weather danger.