Residents living near Eureka Drive in Miami are urged to stay indoors, following a 70-acre brush fire at Larry & Penny Thompson Park over the weekend.
Fire officials believe a cigarette butt caused the fire that started Saturday afternoon and continued burning through Sunday.
Officials said at one point the blaze threatened 20 houses and a gas station, but the fire was contained Sunday night.
The fire destroyed part of the parks campground.
"At about 5 p.m. (Saturday) the park had to be evacuated for the safety of residents in the area," Lt. Shanti Hall said.
The Miami-Dade County Department of Health issued a air pollution alert on Sunday. Health officials said the fire increased levels of particulate matter in the air.
The health department advised people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children to avoid any outdoor activity.
Previous Stories:
- March 19, 2006: Brush Fire Scorches Park In Southwest Miami-Dade
- March 17, 2006: Central Florida Brush Fire Forces Evacuations
- March 9, 2006: Brush Fire Burns About 130 Acres In Weston
Copyright 2006 by NBC6.net. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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