BAKER – (INT) – Caltrans is defending its decision to close a segment of the I-15 over the weekend because of a burning truckload of lithium ion batteries.

The interstate connecting Southern California and Las Vegas was reopened early Sunday.

“The remote location of the incident (near Baker) and the potential for rapid spread of fire and toxic gasses associated with a lithium battery blaze posed significant challenges that made it necessary to close the roadway to ensure the public's safety”, according to a Caltrans statement.

Caltrans said it coordinated delivery of essential supplies and medical aid, including 100 gallons of diesel and 60 gallons of gasoline to stranded motorists. Emergency crews also distributed eight pallets of drinking water to motorists as desert temperatures began to soar. By Saturday evening, CHP officers completed a welfare check of every vehicle that remained on both I-15 and I-40.

The California Highway Patrol was investigating the cause of the fire that closed the freeway Friday afternoon,.

Story Date: August 1, 2024