Brush Fire Smoke Causes Crash That Closes I-80

Smoke from a brush fire is being blamed for triggering a multiple-injury crash that closed Interstate 80 in both directions about 15 miles west of Winnemucca.

One of the vehicles in the crash is a trailer truck believed to have been carrying materials including cyanide. But authorities say there´s no visible leak and no apparent danger from the hazardous materials.

Trooper Rocky Gonzalez of the Nevada Highway Patrol says as many as seven vehicles were involved in the crash shortly after one o´clock this afternoon. He says there are an undetermined number of unspecified injuries.

He says he has no word yet on whether anyone was seriously hurt.

The brush fire was burning along railroad tracks on the north side of the interstate.

Gonzalez says the low visibility from the smoke drifting across the interstate caused the truck to rear end a passenger vehicle.

A dispatcher for the Pershing County Sheriff´s Office says fire crews are getting the upper hand on the small brush fire.