Hancock County fire departments battling brush fires along I-10
A grass fire on the side of Interstate 10 near Mile Marker 8 is generating heavy smoke — prompting officials to shut down traffic in both directions until further notice.
MDOT issued an alert on its travel map saying law enforcement were on scene directing traffic. Fire crews are working to extinguish the fire.
Traffic from the west is being diverted from I-10 onto Highway 603, while motorists traveling east will be diverted south onto Mississippi 607.
Several Hancock County fire departments are deployed to the area to help.
Waveland Fire Chief Tommy Carver Jr., said West Hancock, Bayside, Bay St. Louis and Kiln departments are all out fighting the fires. Waveland also sent a unit and firefighters to the area.
Carver said it was multiple brush fires along the interstate — several of which have jumped the interstate.
He said firefighters are trying to get ahead of the fires to keep them contained.