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Battery fire shuts down Interstate 15 between Barstow and Baker

July 27, 2024

By KAREN VELIE

A major freeway connecting Los Angeles with Las Vegas was shutdown after a semi-truck transporting lithium-ion batteries crashed and caught fire near Baker on Friday morning, according to the CHP. Northbound lanes remain closed as of 11 a.m. on Saturday.

“We apologize for this inconvenience, but everything that is being done is in the interest of public safety,” the CHP reported Friday evening. “Due to the location of this incident, alternate routes are slim to none. Units are currently working to see if traffic can begin flowing safely, away from the inhalation hazard zone. Remain patient and safe as first responders and emergency personnel work on this dangerous situation.”

Overnight, firefighters made multiple attempts  to move the container from the freeway shoulder to open land using an excavator and a dozer. However, they were unable to move the burning truck.

The burning batteries pose a variety of threats.

“This product, when involved with fire, can escalate to a thermal runaway, which requires massive amounts of water to extinguish,” according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department. “To ensure public safety, a hard closure of both northbound and southbound lanes of the 15 freeway has been enforced. Public safety is of the utmost importance, and keeping the area clear allows emergency responders to manage the situation effectively and prevent potential harm.”

Issues with extinguishing battery fires and the toxic gases released have given Morro Bay residents more reasons they do not want a battery storage facility in their city.

Morro Bay residents have voiced concerns regarding the location of the proposes battery storage facility, which is in the heart of the tourist area. Those living near the rock would have to drive towards the fire and the smoke could close down Highway 1, which is their only evacuation route.

 


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The larger the battery plant the more dangerous it is. For the Morro Bay idea, I don’t think that the tourist area is the only place of concern. Just remember in this order: Heat, Explosive, Toxic gases / smoke.


9

How old is the 17″ natural gas pipeline that run through town?


The larger the FUD, the more dangerous it is. How many teslas are in Morro Bay?


5

Thank goodness there is nothing that can burn in my combustion engine car….


-7

We are playing with fire with these batteries… and for what?…. its definitely not to save the planet or improve the environment so what are we doing?… and who is gaining anything by it?… follow the money…


10

And where is the outrage and resistance to electric cars and bikes that carry these same kind of batteries around our towns, possibly parked next to your house? Seems to me the same people driving Teslas are the same ones opposing this facility…


3

“Seems to me the same people driving Teslas are the same ones opposing this facility…”


This is correct.


2

As an outlet that has written about how biased The Tribune is… posting this article makes CCN hypocritical imo :/


-23

How can reporting a real and timely incident be biased or hypocritical?

This is relevant to local issues and a previous article published on this topic on CCN.

Would it have made you feal better if the article had stated “most battery deliveries are safe and do not cause fires and highway shutdowns”? I don’t think most readers need the obvious to be printed causing a dumbing down of the information.


4

“timely incident be biased “


The only reason this was posted here is it’s battery’s on fire, help’s feed the FUD around a stationary code compliant building.


A sea container of consumer battery’s has nothing to do with Morro Bay, unless you like click bait and literal dumbing down of the information.


2

Maybe this incident will wake up the voters in Morro Bay.


31

Deny the fire oxygen. Fire departments are now using special blankets that smother EVs that catch fire.


-10

Yeah, agreed in theory, but I don’t think he can just whip one up to cover a semi trailer. Also, once it was used, it would be contaminated. Quite a costly endeavor. perhaps Vistra can create one that smothers the entire plant site in Morro Bay should it catch on fire


24