Smoke, Crashes, Prompt Brief I-70 Closure

Smoke from several grass fires west of Salina late Monday afternoon made driving treacherous along Interstate 70.

The smoke, along with a crash, prompted a portion of the interstate to be closed. It closed at around 5:00, and reopened shortly after 5:30.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a five mile stretch of I-70 was closed, between mileposts 235 and 240 west of Salina.

A Five vehicle crash, that involved a couple of semis, prompted the road to be closed in both directions. Two drivers were transported to the hospital in Salina.

The fires started at around 3:30. Initially, Saline County rural firefighters were called to a report of a fire in the area of Watkins Road that was possibly started by a train. Firefighters from Ellsworth and Lincoln Counties were also called to help.