Crashes and Fire Shut Down I-10 in Baker County

Traffic diverted to U.S. 90 as authorities investigate the incident

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Multiple crashes and a possible fire have forced the closure of Interstate 10 in Baker County, Florida, about 40 miles west of Jacksonville. Florida Highway Patrol has diverted traffic onto U.S. 90 as they work to clear the scene and determine the cause of the incident.

Why it matters

I-10 is a major east-west interstate highway that runs through Florida, so any closure can have significant impacts on regional travel and commerce. The cause of the crashes and fire is still under investigation, raising concerns about public safety on the roadways.

The details

According to reports, several crashes occurred on I-10 in the Sanderson area, leading to a fire that has closed the interstate. Florida Highway Patrol has diverted traffic onto the parallel U.S. 90 route while they work to clear the scene. The Florida Forest Service says there are no active fires in the immediate area, but they are monitoring the situation closely.

  • The incident occurred on March 5, 2026 around 2:58 PM local time.

The players

Florida Highway Patrol

The state law enforcement agency responsible for patrolling and responding to incidents on Florida's highways.

Florida Forest Service

The state agency tasked with managing and protecting Florida's forests, including responding to wildfires.

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What’s next

Authorities will continue to investigate the cause of the crashes and fire, and work to fully reopen I-10 as soon as it is safe to do so.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of maintaining safe conditions on major interstate highways, as closures can have widespread impacts on regional travel and commerce. Authorities will need to determine if any additional safety measures or enforcement are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.