COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – Alligator Alley was closed Monday afternoon because of a wildfire, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
It reopened just before 9 p.m., according to the FHP.
The fire was near mile marker 41 and forced the closure of a 57-mile stretch of the highway, Lt. Greg Buneo said.
Sgt. Mark Wysocky said it was possible that the roadway would have to be closed again if conditions worsened.
"They're worried that if the winds change, the smoke would overtake the roadway," Wysocky said.
Eastbound traffic was temporarily directed off the highway at exit 80, and westbound traffic was diverted at exit 23.