Nye County fire chief describes rapid suppression of lithium‑ion semi fire on Highway 95

Nye County Fire Chief and emergency‑management director Scott Lewis briefed commissioners on a late‑night, two‑semi accident that involved lithium‑ion batteries and thermal runaway on Highway 95. Lewis said prompt Fire Rescue, NSS and a newly formed F‑500 task force responded; crews applied roughly 20–22 minutes of suppression product in the active fire and used about 5,500–6,000 gallons of water overall.

Lewis described thermal‑runaway behavior, secondary spot fires and the decision to request an additional hazmat presence from Las Vegas for air‑quality monitoring and follow‑up cleanup. He said the team’s training and new equipment limited water use compared with historic incidents and that there were no firefighter injuries reported during suppression.

Commissioners asked follow‑up questions about product usage and timing; Lewis reiterated that NDOT and state police would help assess roadway damage and that a contractor was scheduled to arrive to begin cleanup and to determine asphalt repairs. He credited a recent grant that supplied the F‑500 product and trailer and thanked county leaders for approving the acquisition.

Next steps: NDOT, Nevada State Police and county staff will assess pavement damage and set a timetable for reopening lanes. The fire department will follow up with a cleanup plan and coordination with state hazardous‑materials resources.

Representative quote: "In total, suppression was completed in probably about 20 to 22 minutes of application," Chief Scott Lewis said, describing the rapid knockdown of the thermal‑runaway lithium‑ion blaze.

Status: informational briefing; no board action taken.