An overturned big rig and resulting hazmat situation left motorists stranded in the desert just off the crucial interstate between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and as the situation progresses, concerns about food, water and fuel are increasing.
The problem started early Friday morning when a big rig carrying lithium batteries overturned and caught fire. The crash and resulting fire happened near the Afton Road exit just off the 15 Freeway between Barstow and Baker.
I-15, which is the major roadway that connects L.A. and Las Vegas, had been at a virtual standstill for hours when the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District announced that there was a hard closure on the northbound lanes near Afton Road.
In its latest update at 9 p.m. Friday night, the District said the fire had been burning for 14 hours.
The California Highway Patrol said on Saturday morning that the fire was still burning, but the air quality had improved enough to reopen one lane of I-15 by noon.
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The CHP later walked back that estimation. At about 1:30 p.m., the CHP said scientists from L.A. and San Bernardino counties were on the way to the site to conduct hazmat testing, but it would take at least three-and-a-half hours for the testing to begin.
By 4 p.m., the southbound lanes of I-15 were initially closed at Basin Road, but southbound lanes have now reopened. The northbound lanes still remain closed.
The District cited the distance between the incident spot and any fire stations as a complication in regard to the fire. Response times were high due to the logistical challenges, as well as the traffic.
Meanwhile, motorists attempting to travel from Southern California to Las Vegas were stuck in a massive traffic jam for several hours. According to KTLA viewer Katryn Santore, who called into the 8 a.m. newscast, many travelers were sleeping in their cars at gas stations overnight.
“I’ve been on the road since yesterday. I left Los Angeles around 11 a.m.,” Santore told KTLA from I-40 at about 8:20 a.m. Saturday. “I was stuck on the 15 from about 2:30 p.m. to about 9:30 p.m.”
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Emergency personnel, firefighters and hazardous materials specialists respond to the scene of an overturned big rig carrying lithium batteries that caught fire, causing a massive traffic backup on the I-15 Freeway on July 27, 2024. (California Highway Patrol Barstow) -
Photo of the big rig carrying lithium batteries that overturned and caught fire, causing a massive traffic backup on the I-15 Freeway on July 27, 2024. (California Highway Patrol)
Santore, who planned to arrive in Vegas for a work-related event, stayed at a hotel in Victorville on Friday night.
She said fuel wasn’t a concern for her in particular, but loads of vehicles pulled over on I-15 and I-40 weren’t as lucky.
Officials recommended that travelers take I-40, but a traffic build-up was still expected.
“Emergency crews are currently on scene monitoring the hazmat release as well as air quality levels,” CHP said. “Once hazmat personnel have deemed the area safe, reopening of the northbound lanes will be discussed, with the goal of opening all lanes as soon as possible. Avoid unnecessary travel.”
At 9:30 p.m., CHP released an update saying, “Emergency personnel and hazardous materials specialists are on scene monitoring and assessing the hazardous materials. Closure will remain in place for an unknown time. Hazardous Material has not stabilized and cannot be moved.”
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