Fire Closes I-80 in Sierra Nevada

EMIGRANT GAP – A fire involving an electric big rig has led to the closure of both directions of Interstate 80 in the Sierra Nevada early Monday morning. Cal Fire crews responded to the incident around 3 a.m. near Emigrant Gap, where they discovered the big rig ablaze. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) later reported that the situation escalated into a hazardous materials incident due to the potential release of toxic fumes from the vehicle's batteries. First responders indicated that the batteries of the electric big rig continued to burn more than four hours after the initial response. As a precaution, officials have established a safety perimeter, keeping the public at least half a mile away from the scene. The westbound lanes of I-80 are closed at Highway 20, while eastbound traffic is halted at Nyack. Additionally, all big rigs are being redirected westbound at the Nevada state line and eastbound at Applegate. As of now, there are no reports of injuries related to the fire, and further details about the incident remain scarce. The challenges posed by fires involving electric vehicles have been a growing concern for first responders, complicating their efforts to manage such emergencies effectively. Authorities expect the closure to last until approximately 8 a.m., urging drivers to seek alternative routes.