Eastbound I-80 reopens near ‘Tree of Life’ after semitruck fire
Mar 31, 2026, 9:38 PM | Updated: Apr 4, 2026, 9:53 pm
Fire engulfed a semitruck carrying tires on eastbound Interstate 80 on Tuesday. There were no injuries reported. (Wendover Fire Department)
(Wendover Fire Department)
SALT LAKE CITY — A semitruck fire near the ‘Tree of Life’ sculpture on eastbound Interstate 80 on Tuesday sent black smoke billowing into the sky and, for a time, closed eastbound I-80.
Fire officials said the semitruck caught fire at mile marker 25 after a mechanical failure.
(Graphic credit: Utah Department of Transportation)
By 9 p.m. the Utah Highway Patrol had reopened one lane of eastbound traffic. By 9:45 p.m. MDT, all lanes were reopened.
Update: 1 left lane is now open. Drivers should plan for delay moving through the scene.
— UDOT Traffic (@UDOTTRAFFIC) April 1, 2026
(Video credit: Jared Jensen)
The Wendover Fire Department responded to the fire and was assisted by crews from the West Wendover Fire Department, Wendover Airport Fire Department, and the Utah Test and Training Range Fire Department.
The semitruck was carrying tires which were completely engulfed and destoyed by the fire, officials said.
“Despite the severity of the fire, no injuries were reported,” Wendover Fire officials said on Facebook.
Eastbound traffic was shut down for approximately two hours while officials doused the flames and cleared the highway of debris.
The Utah Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the mechanical failure which led to the fire.
This story may be updated.
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