Fire shuts down all lanes of I-10 in most of Hancock County. What to know.

A grass fire near the interstate has prompted officials to close all lanes of Interstate 10 in a part of Hancock County on Friday afternoon, the Mississippi Department of Transportation said in an alert.

Law enforcement is on the scene directing traffic, which is also congested in both directions, MDOT said.

The fire is most concentrated near mile marker eight, where all lanes are closed. Eastbound drivers are being diverted to Mississippi 607, and westbound drivers are being diverted to Highway 603.

The brush fires multiplied and jumped the interstate, Waveland Fire Chief Tommy Carver Jr. told WXXV-TV, prompting multiple agencies to respond to contain the blaze.

Drivers can expect delays from Exit 2 at the Mississippi-Louisiana state line to the Highway 603 exit (13) in Bay St. Louis.

Delays could last until 12 a.m. Saturday, MDOT said at 9 p.m. Friday night. Keep up with the latest Mississippi Coast traffic updates on their website.

Further down I-10, heavy congestion and delays are happening westbound near the Menge Avenue exit as a bridge is demolished as part of the Buc-ee’s development plan.

This story was originally published August 11, 2023 at 2:23 PM.