x
Breaking News
More () »

Pennsylvania Turnpike open after brush fire closures

The battle against a huge brush fire forced a 20-mile closure of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

BEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP, PA — UPDATE: Closures in this area were reopened early Friday.

Original story:

A brush fire has gotten so bad that a large section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike was closed.

It starts for the southbound lanes at the Wyoming Valley Interchange of I-476.

Northbound, you'll be detoured at the Pocono exit.

At the Wilkes-Barre interchange in Bear Creek Township, there are several warning signs alerting drivers of the southbound lanes being closed.

Crews having been battling that brush fire for the last two days.

We do not know at this time how much land has been damaged, but the fire has moved enough to warrant the Turnpike closure.

Right now, you cannot get on southbound at the Wyoming Valley Interchange in Pittston nor the Wilkes-Barre Interchange in Bear Creek.

If you are traveling northbound, the closure begins at the Pocono Interchange.

Click here to find alternative routes.

Want to see what Newswatch 16's newscasts were like in 1983 and 1984? Head on over to WNEP's YouTube.

Before You Leave, Check This Out