Brush Fires Along I-93 Snarling Afternoon Traffic

Brush fires along I-93 in Wilmington and surrounding towns have traffic snarled as of late Monday afternoon.

Reports indicated that there are currently brush fires in Medford in the Middlesex Fells, in Stoneham along Route 93 and another in Woburn on Route 93 at the Commerce Way.

Wilmington Deputy Fire Chief John Brown said there were multiple small brush fires in Wilmington at the Route 129 exit.

Travelers can expect delays. According to one Wilmington Patch Facebook follower, "Traffic on I-93 South goes back at Least to Medford from Wilmington."

Dave Procopio of the Massachusetts State Police Media Relations Unit told Patch police have closed the right lane on Route 93 North to allow Woburn and Reading firefighters access to perform firefighting operations.

Procopio said the lane should be re-opened by about 4:30 p.m., but said that because rush hour is approaching there will be 'residual back-ups."

At the current time, Procopio said the source of the brush fires is unknown.

Brown said as of about 4 p.m. that there were six trucks working along the highway to put out the flames. After putting out the fires in Wilmington, the town's crews moved down the highway to assist other towns.

"That's exactly what it is, the dry conditions," said Brown. "A little bit of a breeze and it takes off like crazy because the grass is so dry."