Fire Blocked Westbound I-90 in Spokane

A fire near the Division Street interchange caused significant traffic disruptions on Wednesday afternoon.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Emergency Response

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a highway silhouette under thick smoke, evoking the disruption of a major regional transportation artery. — A fire on westbound I-90 near Spokane's Division Street interchange forced a temporary closure and caused significant regional traffic delays Wednesday. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

A fire broke out on westbound I-90 near the Division Street area in Spokane on September 24, 2026. The incident at mile marker 281 forced a full closure of all westbound lanes before partial traffic flow was restored.

Why it matters

The fire created heavy traffic congestion throughout the area, impacting regional transit flow. Although the left lane has reopened, commuters should anticipate continued delays while the incident site is cleared.

The incident occurred at mile marker 281 on I-90 near the Lincoln Street Exit. While the left lane reopened to traffic at 1:36 p.m., the fire caused an immediate and total blockage of all westbound lanes.

The players

Washington State Department of Transportation

The Washington State Department of Transportation is the government agency responsible for maintaining the state highway system and monitoring road conditions.

The details

The fire took place near the Lincoln Street Exit, requiring emergency intervention that disrupted major traffic patterns through downtown Spokane. WSDOT identified the incident via the Real-Time Travel Map, showing significant activity near the Division Street junction.

September 24, 2026: The fire caused lane blockages on I-90.
1:36 p.m.: The left lane of I-90 was reopened to traffic.

Seasonal Patterns

The agency followed the Washington State Department of Transportation's real-time incident management protocols to manage the flow of traffic following the fire. This response adheres to standardized safety procedures used to mitigate delays during unexpected highway obstructions.

Drivers in the Spokane area should expect heavy delays on westbound I-90 following the incident. Travelers are encouraged to check the WSDOT Real-Time Travel Map before departing to avoid the area near the Lincoln Street Exit.

The takeaway

Highway fires can cause immediate gridlock, making it essential for drivers to monitor official transit channels for real-time routing changes. Always maintain distance from emergency responders to ensure that roadways can be reopened as quickly as possible.