Overview
- Florida Highway Patrol said a vehicle fire on the shoulder spread across the highway, forcing full closures in both directions near mile marker 256 between I-4/SR 400 and SR 421 as smoke cut visibility.
- By late afternoon, lanes reopened in stages, with southbound moving by about 4:30 p.m. and all lanes later cleared as crews gained control, easing backups for Daytona 500 traffic leaving the speedway.
- Volusia County reported four brush fires totaling about 10 acres and confirmed that 20 vehicles burned at the nearby Crazy Horse Campground by the Daytona Flea & Farmers Market.
- Authorities said firefighters protected nearby homes in Port Orange, no evacuations were required, and first responders continue to monitor neighborhoods for changing conditions.
- Separate brush fires were reported elsewhere in Central Florida, including an Osceola County blaze near Intercession City, reflecting broader wildfire activity in the region.