NEWBERRY SPRINGS, CA. (Pain In The Pass) >> A large section of the Interstate 40 freeway in front of the Desert Oasis Rest Area will remain closed to traffic for repair damage caused by a fatal fiery crash Friday night.
According to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), crews are working on remove damaged pavement caused by the fiery crash. Caltrans said, crews are expected to repave two large sections of westbound I-40 on Monday as repairs continue on Sunday.
As of Saturday night, the estimated time for lanes reopening is Monday.
The detour of the closure is to exit Hector Road take Route 66 to Fort Cady Rd back on WB I-40.
The damage stems from a fatal morning five vehicle fiery crash Friday night, when two of the three semi tractor-trailers caught fire on the westbound lanes of I-40 in front of the Desert Oasis Rest Area. The first reports came in around 6:53pm on Friday April 17, 2026, prompting a large emergency response.
Caltrans said environmental cleanup teams responded to remove all the burn vehicles from the roadway Saturday morning. Crews then began sweeping the lanes and inspecting the pavement for heat-related damage.
With pavement removal underway on Saturday and work planned for Sunday and Monday, drivers are encouraged to plan, especially with increased traffic expected for weekend travel toward Barstow.
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