PLACER COUNTY, Calif. — Update: California Highway Patrol says Interstate 80 has reopened in both directions following a Tesla big rig fire in Placer County.
Original story:
Interstate 80 reopened to westbound traffic, but an eastbound closure is still ongoing after an electric big rig crashed and caught fire near Nyack Road in Placer County.
The I-80 eastbound closure is at Nyack Road.
According to California Highway Patrol, a Tesla big rig hit a tree and both caught fire. Fire crews were worried the big rig's battery could cause problems, according to a spokesperson for California Highway Patrol. Cal Fire said the batteries was Lithium-Ion and that the incident was also being treated as a hazardous materials incident.
Fire officials said there was minimal spread to vegetation due to aircraft confining the blaze until crews were able to build control lines.
Passenger vehicles are being diverted eastbound at Highway 174 in Colfax. Big rigs are being held eastbound at Applegate.
There's no estimated time for when the rest of the road will reopen. The fire started around 3:15 p.m.
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