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SALT LAKE CITY — I-80 has reopened in both directions at 5600 West after a grass fire started Tuesday morning near the roadway.
The fire, which was first reported near I-80 about 10 a.m., was fully contained by 11:30 a.m., Salt Lake City Fire Department officials said.
The freeway was initially closed in both directions, but westbound I-80 was reopened shortly before noon. Westbound traffic was being diverted off and back on I-80 at 5600 West, according to the Utah Department of Transportation.
Eastbound I-80 reopened shortly before 1 p.m., UDOT said. Drivers were using eastbound S.R. 201 as an alternate route.
Shortly after the fire started, UDOT traffic cameras showed heavy black smoke billowing up from the area. The cause of the fire is unknown.
Here’s a live look from @KSLChopper5 of the grass fire just off I-80 between Wright Brothers Dr and 5600 West. All EB lanes being diverted at tje 201 Freeway in Tooele County. pic.twitter.com/I4L8jQ3UdD
— Heather Kelly (@KSLHeatherKelly) August 20, 2019
Large grass fire: I-80 WN between 5600 W. and 4000 W. Several spot fires along the freeway. Visibility is reduced on I-80 pic.twitter.com/QAu5fLTqjX
— Salt Lake City Fire Department (@slcfire) August 20, 2019
Another blaze sparked in the same area Tuesday afternoon when a vehicle caught fire near the interchange of I-80 and Bangerter Highway, according to UDOT.
The off-ramp from westbound I-80 to the Salt Lake City International Airport was closed as of 1 p.m., according to UDOT. The ramps from northbound and southbound I-215 West to westbound I-80 also were closed, the agency said.
As of 3:30 p.m., the scene was cleared.
Contributing: Carter Williams, KSL.com; Alex Cabrero, KSL TV
