Florida Highway Patrol closed Interstate 75 between Exits 193 and 195 on Monday because of a brush fire near the southbound lanes near the Border Road overpass

Traffic is being diverted west to U.S. 41 between the two exits.

Venice Fire Chief Frank Giddens said the brush fire, which covered between five and six acres, is currently contained and firefighters are in the process of bringing it under control.

FHP originally closed southbound lanes at Exit 195 shortly after 5:20 p.m. because the fire was west on the west side of the interstate.

Giddens said the fire jumped to the median which prompted closing the northbound lanes.

The highway remained closed as of 7 p.m., and scheduled to reopen once the smoke had cleared enough to ensure safe passage.

This is a developing story.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Smoke from brush fire closes I-75 between exists 195 and 193