Florida transportation officials have shut down both directions of a major interstate due to a wildfire.
The Florida Highway Patrol said on Thursday, May 23, that both directions of I-95 are closed in north Jacksonville. The closure is for the seven miles of interstate between Pecan Park Road and SR 200. There is no estimated time for the reopening of I-95.
The interstate shutdown is a result of visibility and safety concerns for drivers because of the Yellow Bluff Fire, which has grown to about 400 acres as of Thursday afternoon. Firefighters say that the blaze is only 25% contained as of 5 p.m.
View from the scene of #YellowBluffFire on Interstate 95. pic.twitter.com/RKJ0gWhnRM
— FFS_Jacksonville (@FFS_Jax) May 23, 2019
The Florida Highway Patrol listed detour routes for the I-95 closure:
*I-95 northbound — East on Pecan Park Rd, north on US 17.
*I-95 southbound — East on SR 200, south on US 17
Transportation officials are warning drivers traveling in the area that visibility conditions can change quickly due to blowing smoke.
You can follow the Florida Highway Patrol on Twitter to keep up with the latest news about the fire and the I-95 closure.