UPDATE: Brush Fires Quelled Near I-270

Update, 3:20 p.m.: As of 3:18 p.m., responders had significantly scaled back operations and only a few units remained on the scene.

Update, 3 p.m.: The brush fires that drew heavy response and affected traffic on the Capital Beltway and I-270 have been put out, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokeswoman Beth Anne Nesselt.

Responders had made "significant progress" as of 2:26 p.m., Nesselt said.

About 50 firefighters remained on the scene checking for hot spots shortly after 3 p.m. Traffic was still heavily impacted and three right lanes of northbound I-270 were closed.

It wasn't clear how long firefighters would remain on the scene, but it could take awhile to ensure the multiple areas that were affected by the fires were safe, Nesselt ssaid.

“Given the past storms, there’s a lot of fallen tree limbs and a lot of fuel for a fire,” Nesselt said.

There were no injuries to residents or firefighters and no loss to property, Nesselt said.

Original story, 2:08 p.m.: Multiple brush fires have been reported near I-270 and the Capital Beltway in Bethesda.

The fires were affecting the wooded area near northbound I-270 from the Capital Beltway to Rockledge Drive, according to Beth Anne Nesselt, a Fire and Rescue spokeswoman.

A number of different public safety responders were on scene battling the blazes Tuesday afternoon, Nesselt said. Units were called out around 1 p.m.

Traffic flow was reduced to one lane from the Capital Beltway to northbound I-270 for rescue staging.

Major traffic delays were reported and drivers were advised to avoid the area.

Multiple units were battling the spot fires, Nesselt said. “Units are in different locations addressing them, as opposed to one contained response," Nesselt said.

The situation was "rapidly changing," Nesselt said.

Stay with Patch for updates.

This story has been updated.