I-80 in Sierra Nevada reopens after electric semi-truck fire

(FOX40.COM) — A burning semi-truck along Interstate 80 in the Sierra Nevada forced a full closure of the highway since early Monday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.

At around 4:30 p.m., the westbound lanes were reopened to all traffic, with eastbound lanes still closed.

During the day, vehicles have had to detour along Highways 174 and 20 to bypass the closed stretch.

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CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer reported on Monday afternoon that the truck began burning at 3:15 a.m. in the area of Emigrant Gap, about 19 miles northeast of Nevada City.

The fire developed into a hazardous materials incident as the truck was an electric semi-truck with toxins emitting from the lithium-ion batteries.

CAL FIRE deployed aircraft to confine the fire to the area immediately around the truck and prevent any spread into the surrounding forest.

At around 6:50 p.m. all lanes were reopened.

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