KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Multiple fires along Interstate 470 caused closures along both sides of the highway Sunday.
Just before 5 p.m., Kansas City Scout reports all roads have reopened.
Remaining closures include the ramp to Raytown Road and lanes being knocked down to only the inside lane westbound and eastbound at Raytown Road.
Earlier, I-470 was closed between 350 Highway and the Grandview Triangle, eastbound at I-435/I-49, westbound at U.S. 50 Highway and eastbound at U.S. 71 Highway.
Due to the spread, the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department asked residents of Highview Estates to evacuate because of safety concerns. Officers knocked door-to-door in the area to inform residents.
KSHB 41 News reporter Caroline Hogan captured smoke blowing in the area by the View High Lake Apartments.
The KCMO Fire Department received reports of a mulch fire at around 10:37 a.m. Sunday at Missouri Organic, near 10301 Raytown Road. Police responded to the scene shortly after 11 a.m.
Fire crews tell Hogan the fire started at the recycling center before the wind blew it to another site. From there, it spread across the highway.
With no hydrants in the area, fire crews say they are concerned it make take a while to completely put the fire out.
"We've been kind of chasing those hot spots and chasing those areas that have caught fire in the brush" KCFD Fire Chief Donna Lake told KSHB 41 reporter Abby Dodge.
Lake says for anyone who does not need to be in the area, stay away. Additionally, she says residents should be prepared for possible evacuation with items like food and water, especially for animals.
For those who stay in their homes, Lake says it's important to turn off HVAC systems as residents do not want to suck smoke and flames into their homes.
The exact amount of acres affected is unknown at this time.
Crews are still working to knock down hot spots and the edges of the fire, but "pretty much the biggest areas of the fire we think we have contained," per Lake.
The following units responded to assist KCFD, KCPD:
- Raytown Fire Protection District
- Grandview Fire Department
- South Metropolitan Fire Protection District
- Pleasant Hill Fire Protection District
- Lee's Summit Fire Department
- Southern Jackson County Fire Protection District
- Overland Park Fire Department
- Belton Fire Department
- Sni Valley Fire Protection District
- Missouri State Highway Patrol
- Lee's Summit Police Department
- Jackson County Parks & Recreation rangers
Part of the response also included Smokey Bear, the Raytown Fire Department's therapy dog. His job is to provide emotional support and love to anyone who is displaced in an emergency situation.
No injuries have been reported as a result of the fires at this time, according to KCFD.
