All lanes on I-5 open once more in Everett after complicated highway hay fire

Update 2:55 p.m.

All four lanes are back open for a second time today, with crews still working within the right shoulder.

Update 1:30 p.m.

The right two lanes are blocked again on northbound I-5 south of SR-527 after the hay from the trailer reignited in flames.

9TH UPDATE | NB I-5 SEMI-TRUCK FIRE IN #Everett.

The right 2 lanes are blocked I-5 northbound south of SR 527. Fire is back at the scene due to the fire re-igniting.

Expect delays in the area or use alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/IJ0mIzc0qH

— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) March 2, 2023

Update 12:05 p.m.: 

All lanes are now open as WSDOT continues to work within the right shoulder to remove the trailer.

Update 11:05 a.m.:

Firefighters and WSDOT’s workers are still trying to clean up after a double hay trailer caught fire on I-5 this morning in Everett.

State Trooper Kelsey Harding said the fire started with a mechanical issue and spread to the hay above, but she stated it has been really hard to put out.

“Anytime they would move the hay around, it would give air to where the fuel source was coming from they actually reignite the fire so it became more of an issue as they progress,” Harding told KIRO Newsradio.

Responders needed to call in a special fire truck from Paine Field, used normally on airplanes, to put out the fire.

The hay removal is still in progress.

Update 8:40 a.m.:

Traffic backups grow even longer as WSDOT reports the disabled truck on NB I-5 is now causing the road to be backed up over five miles at the SR 99/526/527 interchange.

Original story:

A disabled trailer is on the shoulder of northbound Interstate 5 in Everett and is blocking the right two lanes of the highway.

The truck, a double trailer loaded with hay, caught fire and pulled off to the shoulder around 6:45 a.m., according to a tweet from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

Building on fire in University District kills 1, under investigation

Firefighters are working to get the fire under control, and no injuries have been reported at this time.

FIRST UPDATE: Considering the size of the truck and its contents, this is why it’s taking a while to put out the fire.

This semi truck fire continues to block the 2 right lanes on northbound I-5 south of the SR 99/526/527 interchange (milepost 188) in #Everett.

Expect delays! pic.twitter.com/OE15Z9tVK1

— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) March 2, 2023

Traffic is backed up four miles from 112th street in south Everett, creating an hour-long commute from Seattle to Everett.

The HOV/carpool lane in this area is now open to all vehicles to alleviate the backup.

This is a developing story, check back in for updates