GWINNETT COUNTY - The brush fires that were burning along an estimated six-mile stretch of I-85 southbound have now been extinguished and the road is reopened.
Gwinnett County Fire Captain Tommy Rutledge said in a release Wednesday afternoon that there were four separate fires that burned in the grass and wood-line adjacent to the interstate.
Rudledge said the fires were located between Hamilton Mill Road and Highway 211 in the northern part of Gwinnett County, near the Barrow County line.
He said the southbound lanes of the interstate were closed as firefighters worked to extinguish the fire; however, the northbound lanes remained open.
Rutledge also said crews from Gwinnett were assisted by firefighters from Barrow County.
There are no reports of damage to any structures or vehicles as a result of the fires; there are no injuries reported.
The Georgia State Patrol and State DOT HERO units assisted with traffic control and closed the southbound lanes of the interstate. DOT crews assisted firefighters by cutting down several trees that were scorched by the blaze and in danger of falling.
Shortly after 3:30 p.m. crews reopened one southbound lane of the interstate, but kept the other lane closed due to equipment in the roadway, saying fire crews expected to be at the scene for about another hour hitting hotspots. At 4:30 p.m., DOT officials gave the all clear.
