Truck Carrying Lithium-Ion Batteries Catches Fire, Closes I-15 for 48 Hours

Jul 27, 2024, 08:33 PM

A truck carrying lithium-ion batteries overturned and caught fire on Interstate 15 near Baker, California, leading to a hazardous materials incident and significant traffic disruptions. The fire, which started on Friday morning, caused the closure of both northbound and southbound lanes of I-15 between Afton Canyon and Basin RD. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) and San Bernardino County Fire Department managed the scene, with suppression efforts complicated by the contents of the truck. The fire emitted toxic gases, necessitating massive amounts of water to extinguish. By Saturday, the southbound lanes were reopened, but the northbound lanes remained closed until early Sunday morning. The incident trapped thousands of motorists in 109-degree heat, with some running out of gas and water. The highway fully reopened after nearly 48 hours of closure, ending a 44-hour traffic nightmare.