Smoke from a grass fire near Dorrance in Russell County forced the closure of a portion on Highway 40.

At 4:09 this afternoon the Kansas Highway Patrol reported that Old Highway 40 between 201st and 202nd roads in Russell County are closed due to the smoke from a grass fire burning in the area.

Eyewitnesses also report several Highway Patrol Troopers located along that area of I-70 as smoke was also drifting over a portion of the interstate near Dorrance.  The fire itself appeared to be just on the West side of the city of  Dorrance.