Brush Fires Shut Down Traffic on I-85

BUFORD, GA — Brush fires along the edge of Interstate 85 in northern Gwinnett County made a mess out of the early morning commute for drivers on Wednesday.

Firefighters remained on the scene later Wednesday morning of the fires, which were reported around 5:36 a.m. on the shoulder of I-85 southbound between Spout Springs Road and Old Flowery Branch Road near Buford.

Crews arrived to find three separate fires burning.

All lanes of I-85 southbound were closed. Firefighter were able to keep the flames away from a nearby residential area and the fires were considered under control by 6:30 a.m. Crews remained on the scene, however, to monitor and extinguish hot spots.

Lanes were gradually re-opened to morning traffic. No injuries were reported and there was no immediate word Wednesday morning on a possible cause of the fires.

File photo courtesy Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services