Florida Highway Patrol is reporting that Turnpike traffic in both directions have reopened after being closed due to brush fire for much of Saturday morning.
The blaze occurred along the turnpike near Okeechobee Road shutting down both northbound and southbound lanes for a couple of hours.
"The smoke as see is on the east side of the Turnpike at that point visibility was very low so we took the initiative to shut down the Turnpike for the safety of the motoring public," said FHP Sgt. Rey Sanchez.
The brush fire broke out around 5 a.m. Saturday morning. FHP and the Forestry Department were dispactched to the scene. Hialeah fire also assisted to help contain the blaze.
By 9 a.m. both lanes of the Turnpike were reopened and by that time FHP says 65 percent of the fire was contained over approximately two acres.
However, smoke continued billowing out to the sky affecting visibility.
"Visibility was approximately probably less than 500 feet and avoid people from rubber necking and crashing out here," Sanchez said.
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FHP reported no injuries or damage to the structure. The cause of the brush fire is still under investigation.
The majority of the brush fire has been contained and crews are asking drivers to pass by cautiously.
