LAS VEGAS, Nevada (FOX5) – The truck fire that caused the I-15 closure for days was the first of its kind in the country, according to highway authority CalTrans, and prompted an unprecedented hazardous materials cleanup response.

On July 26, California Highway Patrol officials said a tanker carrying “lithium iron” caught fire north of Baker on I-15, causing the highway to be virtually closed for nearly two days. Drivers sought a detour with a 50-mile backup on I-40.

The lithium iron shipment was destined for a solar farm in Wisconsin, according to the CHP. Officials told FOX5 they were well-equipped to fight a fire involving the more commonly used lithium-ion battery, but needed assistance from disaster management and hazardous materials experts after the cause of the fire was determined.

“The manufacturer advises that the fire could last anywhere from a few days to two more weeks. That’s the unknown of this whole situation,” said CHP Officer Shane Hernandez.

“They brought heavy equipment and were going to push the container further into the desert. As they started to do that, it caught fire again and the crews had to back away to a safe distance for their own safety,” Hernandez said. “Because of the soft sand in that spot, they basically had to build a road from the highway into the desert,” he said.

Many were stuck on the highway for hours because they ran out of water and gasoline.

CalTrans issued the following statement to FOX5:

“The safety of travelers and highway workers is always Caltrans’ top priority. The lithium battery incident on I-15 was the first of its kind here in the United States, and Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol worked with federal and local partners to quickly secure the area and assist those affected by coordinating the delivery of vital supplies and medical assistance to stranded motorists on I-15 and those diverted to I-40, as well as 100 gallons of diesel fuel and 60 gallons of gasoline.

Working with our partners, we will continue to evaluate and update our traffic management strategies to improve traffic flow and safety on our highways during emergency and congested situations and reduce the impact on motorists in California and neighboring states.”

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the federal government must closely examine and restrict the transport of hazardous substances on federal highways to prevent further traffic congestion.

“The main goal, of course, is to make sure that these things can be prevented. We are constantly working on new policies and procedures to ensure that hazardous materials that we depend on as a country are transported more safely. They do not represent a barrier to people getting to their destination,” said Secretary Buttigieg. The secretary posted on “X” that his office is monitoring the closure and humanitarian aid.

“Flammable liquids have caused many problems, including a tanker truck accident that demolished a bridge in Pennsylvania. Newer technologies, including battery-powered devices, can also pose a risk. We need to find ways to handle them properly and safely,” said Secretary Buttigieg.

A spokeswoman for Congresswoman Dina Titus said her office is reviewing a ban on hazardous substances on roads and whether federal legislation is needed to do so.

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