Tesla Semi Fire Shuts Down I-80: A Hazardous, Massive, and Unusual Event

Tesla Semi Fire Shuts Down I-80, Releases Toxic Fumes in Placer County

Tesla Semi Fire on I-80

On August 19th, 2024, a Tesla Semi truck caught fire on Interstate 80 near Emigrant Gap, California. KCRA News Sacramento reported the fire caused the highway to close in both directions for hours. The truck’s lithium-ion batteries caught fire, releasing toxic fumes, which made it unsafe for drivers to be nearby.

The Tesla Semi Fire and Emergency Response

The fire started when the Tesla Semi went off the road and crashed into trees near the Laing Road offramp. Firefighters and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) arrived quickly, but the fire was difficult to control because of the batteries. The batteries not only caught fire but also fed off each other, making the blaze even more intense.

Firefighters used thousands of gallons of water to cool down the burning truck. Despite their efforts, the truck’s temperature remained extremely high. To stop the fire from spreading to nearby trees, fire retardant was dropped around the truck.

Impact on Traffic

The fire had a major impact on traffic. Both directions of I-80 were closed for several hours. Westbound traffic was stopped at Highway 20, while eastbound traffic was rerouted at Colfax. The westbound lanes reopened just before 4:30 p.m., and the eastbound lanes reopened after 7 p.m.

Officials from Cal Fire reported that by late afternoon, they had cooled the batteries enough to safely plan the removal of the truck. The truck was later transported to Tesla’s Nevada plant for further investigation. The cause of the crash is still being investigated, with authorities looking into whether the driver may have fallen asleep.

Learning to Handle Electric Truck Fires

Handling fires in electric trucks like the Tesla Semi is still new territory for firefighters. Jason Lyman from the CHP explained that dealing with electric vehicle fires is a new challenge, and emergency teams are still learning how to manage these situations. Cal Fire Division Chief Ryan Woessner noted that there is no standard procedure yet for dealing with such fires. He said that while they have trained with Tesla on handling electric trucks, dealing with a fire is a much bigger challenge.

For now, the strategy is to let the batteries burn themselves out while keeping the area around the fire safe.

Concerns from Truck Drivers

The incident has raised concerns among other truck drivers. Angel Contreras, a truck driver from Modesto, was driving near the scene when the fire happened. He was transporting electric battery parts to Tesla’s Nevada plant. Contreras expressed worry about the safety of electric trucks, especially in populated areas.

The Tesla Semi, which was first released in 2022, is seen as a big step forward in trucking technology. However, incidents like this may lead to more questions about the safety and management of electric trucks.