Firefighters were battling a grassfire near Hays late Tuesday morning, and trying to keep it from moving into town.

According to Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Tod Hileman, a fire was burning just north of Hays moving south. Traffic along Interstate 70 was being rerouted because of zero visibility. Fire crews on scene were trying to stop the fire from spreading into parts of east Hays.

Hileman was reporting heavy traffic and urging caution. Ellis County Emergency Management was urging people to avoid interstate 70 as well as Commerce Parkway and the East side of Hays.

By early afternoon the fire danger had eased, and the road was opened back up.

The Hays fire was one of several that were burning in Kansas on Tuesday. Others were burning in Southern Kansas in Sedgwick and Harper Counties.

Interstate 70 between Goodland and Colby was closed early in the afternoon because of blowing dust.

Fire just north of Hays moving south! I-70 traffic is being rerouted to old Highway 40 because of zero visibility. Fire crews on scene trying to stop it from going into Hays. pic.twitter.com/b2IYTVS70t

— Trooper Tod (@TrooperTodKHP) March 6, 2018