Paula Merritt / The Meridian StarMississippi Highway Patrol troopers assess a scene of an accident on Highway 80 near I-20 between Lawrence and Lake Tuesday morning. It was one of a number of accidents in Newton County Tuesday, many attributed to poor visibility from a forest fire.

Five people were injured in eight separate accidents involving 19 vehicles Tuesday morning on Interstate 20 and Highway 80 in Newton County. The accidents were attributed to poor visibilty resulting from smoke of a nearby brush fire.

No one suffered life threatening injuries, according to Sgt. Andy West, with the Mississippi Highway Patrol Troop H.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation and the Mississippi Highway Patrol reported the accidents east of Lake, in Newton County, near exit 100 around 8 a.m. For roughly half an hour, all lanes were blocked before agencies could clear the area between mile markers 96 and 102.

“It’s a brush fire and it’s under control,” West said. “Through the night the smoke settled.”

Brian Taylor, the Newton County Emergency Management director, said that the fire came from a road that runs parallel to I-20.

Taylor said the temperature and dew point being close together Tuesday morning it pushed the atmosphere down on I-20 and Highway 80, reducing visibility.

“The brush fire is smoldering but we didn’t put it out because there isn’t a burn ban,” Taylor said.

Taylor said the Newton Fire Department responded to the fire to ensure the fire was controlled but ultimately the homeowner will monitor the fire.

He advised that drivers be extra cautious during the early morning and late afternoon hours when low visibility may be possible. To aid drivers near the fire, he asked MDOT to put up lighted signs warning about low visibilit