Motorists faced disruption on the M1 in Nottinghamshire on Sunday evening after a substantial field fire sent thick smoke across the southbound carriageway and prompted a temporary closure between J28 (Mansfield) and J26 (Nottingham).
Emergency crews deployed as smoke drifts over motorway
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said a combination of local and neighbouring resources were sent to the scene and that several appliances were in attendance. At the height of the response, crews worked to bring the open-fire under control and to prevent smoke from posing a hazard to road users.
“We’ve currently got 7 appliances, a combination of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service resources, working very hard to tackle a fire in open in the Bulwell area currently. This fire is sending a large amount of smoke onto the M1 and has caused some traffic disruption around Junction 26 southbound.”
National Highways traffic officers supported emergency services with traffic management. At one stage all southbound lanes were closed; later the carriageway was reopened but with lanes 1 and 2 (of 4) remaining closed while crews completed dampening down and investigatory work.
Delays and diversion advice
Traffic was held and then released progressively past the scene in the remaining open lanes, but motorists should expect continuing delays. Authorities advised drivers to avoid the area while operations continued and warned people not to operate drones near the emergency, which can interfere with response work.
- Location: M1 southbound between J28 (Mansfield) and J26 (Nottingham)
- Fire response: Seven appliances from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire services
- Traffic status: Initially all lanes closed; carriageway later reopened with lanes 1 and 2 still closed
- Reported delays: Up to 20 minutes on approach once lanes were reopened
| Time | Update |
|---|---|
| Early evening | All lanes on M1 southbound closed between J28 and J26 while crews tackled field fire |
| 7:05pm | Traffic being released past the scene in lanes 3 & 4; delays reported |
| 7:39pm | Carriageway reopened between J28 and J26; lanes 1 and 2 remain closed for dampening down |
Official diversion route
National Highways advised drivers following the hollow square diversion symbol to leave the M1 at J28 and use the A38 westbound toward Ripley, then the A610 at the Hartshay Interchange, travel through Codnor and rejoin the M1 at J26. The diversion was in place while emergency services and highways teams worked to make the area safe.
Drivers should continue to allow extra time for journeys in the area and follow instructions from emergency services. Anyone travelling this corridor in the coming hours is advised to check live traffic updates before setting off.
