(Suwanee, Ga., December 4, 2019) – All lanes of I-985 N/B are now reopened and the incident has been terminated. The interstate was reopened as fire trucks left the scene at 5:48pm.

The exact cause of the fires along the interstate is still undetermined and is under investigation. The first fire crew to arrive at the scene was told by a passerby, that they saw a white pickup truck stopped on the side of the interstate around the same time that the fires erupted. The pickup truck was last seen traveling northbound on I-985 from the incident location. It is unknown what role the stopped pickup truck may have played in the cause of the fires. A Fire Investigator is following up on the information.

Anyone who has information about the white pickup truck or the fires is asked to please contact the Gwinnett Fire Investigations Section at 678-518-4890 or Gwinnett Police (non-emergency line) at 770-513-5700. Additional information will be sent by the Fire-PIO when available.

ORIGINAL NEWS ALERT:

(Suwanee, Ga., December 4, 2019) – Gwinnett County firefighters are currently on the scene of three separate grass fires along a half-mile area of the right-shoulder of the roadway on I-985 northbound, between the I-85 split and Buford Drive. The fires are out at this time and crews are wetting down hotspots.  Crew initially had to close both northbound lanes around 4:08pm due to fire trucks and fire hoses in the roadway. Firefighters have reopened one travel lane and traffic is moving at a reduced speed.  Gwinnett Police and a GDOT Hero Unit are assisting with traffic control.

There are no vehicles or structures involved and no injuries have been reported. The exact cause of the fires is currently under investigation. Motorists are asked to use caution as they travel on I-985 N/B until both lanes are reopened. Per the on-scene Incident Commander, the southbound lanes have not been affected. Crews hope to have the incident cleared within the next 30-45 minutes.

The fire scorched the grass and woods in all three areas near mile marker 2 and 2.5. The first two fires were considered small.  The third area, which is about half-way between the I-85 split and Buford Drive, was the largest area and measured approximately 2-3 acres.

The fires are out and crews are wetting down hotspots and are in the process of taking up equipment. The Fire-PIO did not respond to the scene.

 Additional information will be sent when available.

 Equipment at the scene includes: 3-Engines, 1-Squad, 1-Water Tanker and 1-Battalion Chief.