SUWANEE — Gwinnett County Firefighters responded to a call that the grass along a stretch of I-985 NB in Suwanee between the I-85 split and Buford Drive on Wednesday afternoon. Firefighters were dispatched at 4:08 p.m. to fight multiple fires.
Crews initially had to close all lanes of I-985 NB to allow the firetrucks and their hoses room to work the three separate fires that were along the right shoulder of the interstate. Three areas near mile marker 2 and 2.5 had the grass and woods scorched. The first two fires were considered small, however, the third area was the largest covering approximately 2-3 acres.
Once crews had put out the flames, they reopened a lane on I-985 NB. Firefighters continued at that point to knock out any hot spots that were still present. Fire crews wrapped up their work and left the scene at approximately 5:48 p.m.
No structures or vehicles were involved in the fires. The cause of the fires is undetermined and currently under investigation. According to the press release sent by the fire department, the fire crews first on the scene were told by a passing motorist that they witnessed a white pickup truck stopped along the side of the interstate in the area where the fires occurred. The truck was seen traveling north on I-985 after it left the area of the fires. It is unknown if the truck had any role in the fires and the fire investigator is following up on the information they received.
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.
— Staff Reports
