Grass Fire Clogs Traffic on I-35E and I-494 near Eagan, Mendota Border

An afternoon grass fire in the west ditch along the southbound lane of Interstate 35E north of Interstate 494 has slowed traffic.

Crews responded to the fire south of Wagon Wheel Trail between 2:30 and 2:45 p.m. Tuesday. Smoke was slowing traffic and officials eventually closed one of the southbound lanes, creating a traffic headache for the afternoon commute. 

Patch reports some burned areas did encroach on an apartment complex and business office area up the hill from the freeway, but crews knocked it down. 

A Minnesota Department of Transportation traffic camera  showed fire engines at the scene at 3 p.m., where smoke is still visible.

We'll update this story as more information becomes available.