All lanes reopen after smoke from brush fire shut down part of Alligator Alley: FHP

OCHOPEE, Fla. — Alligator Alley was closed between FL-29 and US-27 on Wednesday night due to low visibility caused by smoke from a large brush fire.

The National Weather Service in Miami posted on social media the smoke from the fires had reduced visibility to near zero on Wednesday afternoon.

The 25,000-acre brush fire started on Monday in the Big Cypress National Preserve in South Florida.

Officials said all lanes were reopened at around 6 a.m. on Thursday.

FHP advised drivers who might need to cross Alligator Alley to:

• DRIVE WITH LIGHTS on low beam. High beams will only be reflected off the fog and impair visibility even more. Your lights help other drivers see your vehicle, so be sure they all work. Keep your windshield and headlights clean, to reduce the glare and increase visibility.
  
• SLOW DOWN and watch your speedometer before you enter a patch of fog.
  
• WATCH OUT for slow-moving or stopped vehicles. Open you window a little and listen for traffic you cannot see.
  
• REDUCE THE DISTRACTIONS in your vehicle. Turn off the radio and keep your cell phone down. Your full attention is required.
  
• USE WIPERS AND DEFROSTERS for maximum visibility. Sometimes it is difficult to determine if poor visibility is due to fog or moisture on the windshield.
  
• USE THE RIGHT EDGE of the road or painted road markings as a guide.
  
• BE PATIENT avoid passing and/or changing lanes.
  
• SIGNAL TURNS well in advance and brake early as you approach a stop.
  
• DO NOT STOP on an Interstate or heavily traveled road. You could become the first link in a chain-reaction collision. If you must pull off the road, signal, then carefully pull off as far as possible and turn your hazard lights on.