Truckers have been frustrated by closures on Interstate 80 through Emigrant Gap as forest fires blaze in northern California.

A 2,300-acre fire about 70 miles northeast of Sacramento burned right up to I-80 Tuesday, forcing the California Patrol to shut the freeway down for the second time in two days. Eastbound traffic was detoured to scenic Highway 49. The winding two-lane highway was too narrow and congested for some truckers, who parked their rigs on the side of the road or in nearby parking lots. Westbound traffic was diverted to Highway 20.
Don Curry of Lewston, Idaho, told the San Francisco Chronicle that he was losing hundreds of dollars sitting with his load of lumber bound for Pennsylvania. He had been stranded more than a day.
Tempers were flaring, as well, California Highway Patrol officers told the Sacramento Bee, with traffic moving 5-10 mph much of the day. Many truckers were having problems with overheated brakes from the long, slow, descent, reported the paper.
As of Wednesday afternoon, westbound traffic was reduced to one lane from the junction of SR 20 in Nevada County to Colfax in Placer County.
Firefighters are battling 41 major fires in eight Western states. Most have been caused by lightning; officials believe the Emigrant Gap fire may have been started by a campfire that was not completely put out.
For the latest California road closure information, go to www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo or call 1-800-427-7623.