Firefighters responded at 2:21 p.m., to a reported woods fire on I-85 southbound, north of Hamilton Mill Road, in unincorporated Buford, GA. Additional information was provided by the Gwinnett 911 Center with callers indicating a tractor trailer carrying cars was also on fire.

When firefighters arrived they found the trailer portion of the tractor trailer carrying 8 cars well involved. Firefighters worked quickly to control the tractor trailer fire and requested additional fire units to control the fast moving woods fire. Due to the dry conditions, the fire extended to the median of the interstate as well as the wooded area. I-85 south bound was closed for several hours because of the fire and for the safety of all personnel mitigating the scene. A total of 37 firefighters responded to the scene and have estimated 110 acres has burned with no damage to any homes or businesses. The residents of a local subdivision were asked to remain inside their homes due to the heavy smoke conditions in the area.

Several units from the Georgia Forestry Commission assisted in containing  the fire with 3 bulldozers digging a fire line break on the perimeter and monitoring conditions with a fixed wing aircraft. Not only did the Georgia Forestry Commission assist in extinguishing the fire, Gwinnett firefighters received support from Gwinnett County Police for traffic control, Gwinnett County Police Aviation Unit to monitor the fire and survey the scene, Georgia Department of Transportation and Willard Wrecker Service. At the time of this release, 1 lane of I-85 southbound has opened.

Firefighters will remain on the scene throughout the night monitoring hotspots. Drivers and homeowners in the area will still see and smell smoke due to several deep seated smoldering fires within the fire break.

Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services wants to remind all residents to use caution this Halloween weekend and refrain from any outdoor burning due to the dry conditions. The Georgia Forestry Commission has implemented a temporary suspension on ALL outdoor burning due to persisting drought conditions throughout the 5 county district that includes Gwinnett County.  The suspension on outdoor burning includes all permitted fires (land clearing, pit burns and bonfires) as well as all non-permitted (burning of natural vegetation yard debris) fires.  Information concerning outdoor burning will be updated on the website daily at www.gwinnettfiremarshal.com.  Outdoor burning will resume once conditions are within an acceptable range and the suspension has been lifted by the Georgia Forestry Commission.  For additional information about the burn ban, please contact the Georgia Forestry Commission. 

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 7-Engines, 1-Ladder Truck, 1-Squad, 1-Medic Unit, 1-Air & Light Unit, 2-Battalion Chiefs, 1-Rehab Unit, 1-Medical Supervisor, 1-Water Tender and 1-Public Information Officer.

INCIDENT DATE: 10/29/16
TIME DISPATCHED: 2:21 P.M.
TIME ARRIVED: 2:39 P.M.
TIME UNDER CONTROL: 5:21 P.M.

Dropbox photo links from the scene provided by the Gwinnett Fire-PIO: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3rq63jhuqt7k6rn/AAAN_jZr067FcmgshphGACfZa?dl=0