Miami (February 21) – As Miami-Dade County continues to respond to the fire at the waste-to-energy facility in Doral, the latest updates and guidance for residents are below. 

Miami-Dade County continues the 24 hour-a-day operation at the plant. A small section within the trash pit continues to smolder and is being targeted with ongoing fire suppression by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, as teams work around the clock to remove the remaining waste from the facility. Smoke levels have significantly improved and the latest air quality readings for the surrounding area show average particulate concentrations in the good/moderate range, which is acceptable air quality per the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).

Based on the latest readings, residents in the area can enjoy outdoor activities; we encourage you to be mindful that conditions may vary throughout the day as the wind changes, to head indoors if you experience smoky conditions, and limit outdoor exposure in the immediate area of the plant. We recommend running your air conditioning at home to re-circulate air in your house, and changing your air filter more frequently than usual.

City of Doral parks are open and will return to normal programming Tuesday, February 21, and Miami-Dade County Public Schools in the area will be open on Tuesday. MDCPS will reach out directly to parents of schools in the area to share any further updates related to afterschool activities.  

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was on the ground from Monday to Saturday working hand in hand with Miami-Dade County teams to monitor air quality within the facility and surrounding area. Per EPA protocol, monitoring has now shifted to an independent environmental response contractor, CTEH, and air monitoring data will be provided and distributed by CTEH moving forward.

Miami-Dade County is coordinating directly with the EPA and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Chris Ghaemmaghaghami of Jackson Health System to review the reports and provide updated recommendations to residents.

The full reports and the latest updates and information can be found here:  miamidade.gov/wastefire.

Doral residents will continue to receive additional communications through the County's emergency text messaging service and from the City of Doral.