Drivers were told to expect extended lane closures Tuesday night on northbound Interstate 5 in Marysville as crews finished putting out brush fires.
The fires had created at least a 5-mile backup Tuesday evening and at one point completely shut down the freeway, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Firefighters and Washington State Patrol crews responded to the scene. By 8:20 p.m., they had contained the fire and were expected to mop up hot spots into the night.
Shortly after 9 p.m., the two right lanes were still closed, WSP Trooper Kelsey Harding wrote in a tweet. The fire had burned 16 acres, doing minor damage to three buildings, she said.
Hot, dry weather is elevating fire risk, and counties throughout the state have issued burn bans. To practice proper wildfire safety, residents should properly dispose of cigarettes and avoid driving on dry grass.
