Tesla big rig fire affects traffic on I-80 in Northern California

( KRON ) — A Tesla big rig caught fire on I-80 on Monday, shutting down the highway in Placer County for most of the day, Cal Fire said . I-80 has since reopened for westbound traffic.

The fire was reported at 3:15 a.m. near the State Route 20 junction at I-80. Cal Fire called the fire a “hazardous materials incident” due to the truck’s lithium-ion batteries.

Cal Fire worked to prevent the fire from spreading into the nearby forest.

Big rigs headed westbound were turned back at the Nevada state line while trucks headed eastbound turned around at Applegate. An alternate route suggested for trucks to take is northbound US-395 to westbound State Route 70.

The highway was closed for passenger cars between Highway 174 and State Route 20. Those driving through the area are still told to expect delays.

Several agencies have been deployed to handle the situation, including CHP, Cal Fire and the Placer County Fire Department.

There is no estimated time for the road to reopen in the eastbound direction.

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