I-15 Freeway Reopens After Lithium-Ion Battery Truck Fire

Las Vegas, NV - July 28, 2023

All Lanes Now Open After Two-Day Closure

All lanes of Interstate 15 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas have reopened after being closed for 48 hours due to a big rig fire involving lithium-ion batteries. The fire broke out on Friday, July 26, on the northbound side of the freeway near Baker, California.

Crews worked around the clock to extinguish the fire and clean up the roadway. The southbound lanes reopened on Saturday, July 27, but the northbound lanes remained closed until Sunday, July 28.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is investigating the cause of the fire. Lithium-ion batteries are known to be highly flammable, and there have been a number of recent fires involving these batteries.

• In April 2023, a Tesla Model S Plaid caught fire on the 10 Freeway in Los Angeles. The fire spread to the nearby brush, causing a small brush fire.
• In March 2023, a Chevrolet Bolt EV caught fire in a San Francisco parking garage. The fire spread to the surrounding vehicles, causing significant damage.
• In January 2023, a Ford Mustang Mach-E caught fire in a Dearborn, Michigan, parking lot. The fire spread to the nearby buildings, causing extensive damage.

The CHP is urging drivers to be aware of the potential fire hazard posed by lithium-ion batteries. If you see a vehicle that is on fire, please pull over to a safe location and call 911.