Missouri firefighters respond to several fires in Missouri: I-70 reopens at Route J after lanes were closed because of smoke in nearby brush fires

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Watch a replay of traffic in the video player below.

Columbia fire:

Multiple departments and teams are currently responding to a large natural cover fire on the North side of Columbia.

Both Columbia Fire Department and Boone Fire Department are on the scene near Big Bear Boulevard and Range Line Street. Boone Hospital Center is also providing EMS support.

The Columbia Police Department is reporting that sections of Blue Ridge Road between Rangeline Street and Providence Road are shut down while teams are responding to the emergency.

Updates on the fire are to come.

Cooper County fire:

I-70 is back open at Route J after lanes were closed in both directions between Rocheport (MM 115) and Boonville (MM 101) due to smokey conditions and difficult visibility.

Missouri's division of fire safety posted in a tweet that Eastbound traffic will exit at the 106-mile marker onto US 87 northbound, through Boonville to Route P, to US 240, to US 40 and back onto I-70. I-70 reopened a few hours later.

First responders are asking drivers to avoid the area and find an alternate route.

Cooper County PIO Jim Gann, said an estimated 3500 to 4000 acres have been burned, and an estimated 20 structures have been damaged. An estimated 80 percent of the fire is contained as crews from more than 25 departments aid in the fight to control the fire.

"The statewide mutual aid program has been program was activated to get us the assistance we need," said Gann. "To my knowledge there was only one minor injury and that person was taken with non-life threatening injuring to the hospital."

The American Red Cross has opened an emergency shelter for individuals and families who have been displaced by the fire. The shelter is located at Open Bible Praise Church, 16991 Highway 87, Booneville, Mo 65233.

Jefferson City fire:

The Jefferson City Department responded to a reported structure fire Saturday morning.

Responding fire personnel said they found smoke and fire showing from the back of an enclosed deck in the 800 block of Primrose Lane. All occupants had been evacuated when the team arrived.

Crews were able to get the fire under control, the department said. The deck of the building sustained some fire and smoke damage, while the rest of the structure had light smoke damage.

According to the department, one adult was displaced by the fire.

The State Fire Marshall’s office is currently investigating the cause, but they said they think the fire started accidentally.