Brush fire in Gary prompts evacuation, shuts down I-80/94
GARY, Ind. - A brush fire in northwest Indiana shut down parts of Interstate 80/94 in Gary Wednesday and prompted nearby evacuations.
Difficult terrain was preventing firefighters from reaching the flames, so helicopter units were sent to drop water on the area, according to Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr.
Crews battle a brush fire Nov. 4, 2020, near 25th Avenue and Clark Road in Gary | Lake County sheriff’s office
“Our crew dropped 34 loads of water totaling some 7,140 gallons,” Martinez said.
Evacuations were ordered near 25th Avenue and Clark Road, and traffic was stopped on I-80/94 due to heavy smoke, Martinez said in an emailed audio message.
The blaze was first spotted by an officer at 1:20 p.m.
No injuries have been reported.