HAYWOOD COUNTY, NC – I-40 East in Haywood County reopened Thursday morning, March 5, 2026, after a semi-truck fire caused significant traffic delays and a full roadway closure during the early commute. The incident, which occurred near mile marker 28.5 close to Clyde, led to a temporary shutdown of eastbound lanes and heavy congestion for travelers.
Incident Details
A vehicle fire prompted the closure of I-40 East near the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway (U.S. 74), approximately two miles east of Exit 27. The fire was reported at approximately 5:53 a.m.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene quickly, and motorists were advised to seek alternative routes as eastbound traffic backed up toward Waynesville. No information regarding injuries or the cause of the fire has been released at this time.
Timeline and Reopening
The fire was reported at 5:53 a.m. Thursday. While initial estimates suggested a longer closure, the roadway was cleared and all lanes were reopened by approximately 8:53 a.m. Although traffic is now flowing, continued monitoring of local conditions is advised as residual congestion clears.
Regional Traffic Context
The closure resulted in delays east of Exit 27, where commuters from Haywood and surrounding counties merge toward Asheville. For real-time updates, travelers are encouraged to use NCDOT's DriveNC.gov or local traffic monitoring apps.
I-40 in Haywood County continues to face long-term travel pressures. While the fire incident was isolated, the region remains under a "Recovery Traffic Pattern." A section of I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge near the Tennessee state line has seen recent improvements to traffic flow following extensive repairs. That section currently maintains a 40 mph speed limit and lane reductions as reconstruction of the gorge continues toward a projected 2027 completion, according to the Department of Transportation.
Image: North Carolina Fire Department