Hwy 170 reopens after brush fire

BEAUFORT CO., SC (WTOC) - The Bluffton Township Fire District Wildland Team is watching a brush fire for flare ups on Highway 170 in the Shell Point area.

A brush fire in the Lowcountry slowed traffic during the evening rush-hour commute in both directions on Hwy 170 between Chechessee (Lemon Island Bridge) and the Broad River Bridge.

The Bluffton Township Fire District was dispatched to Lemon Island and the first unit to arrive and requested the Division of Forestry be called to help with the fast-moving fire.

Bluffton fire officials said that spreading is not a concern, but the big issue is smoke. The fire has been contained to the west side of Lemon Island.

All four lanes of Hwy 170 reopened, but traffic is moving slow. Authorities warn that drivers should still be cautious in the area because visibility is still a problem due to the smoke.

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