A large motorhome fire on eastbound Interstate 90 in Seattle’s Mount Baker Tunnel led to a complete closure of all eastbound lanes on Monday afternoon, May 12, 2025. The fire reportedly began when a car and the motorhome collided within the tunnel. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP). Trooper John Dattilo confirmed that the fire was extinguished, and the motorhome was removed from the tunnel by a Department of Transportation tow truck.
Despite the fire being out, significant traffic disruptions persisted as crews began the cleanup and inspection process. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) indicated that the inspection was a standard protocol to ensure the safety and integrity of the tunnel before reopening the lanes. While the motorhome has been cleared, WSDOT advised drivers to expect continued delays and hour-long backups as the area is cleared and inspected.
Footage from cameras inside the tunnel revealed massive flames and thick smoke filling the overhead space during the incident. Although most of the wreckage has been cleared, it will take some time for commute times to recover. WSP Trooper Dattilo mentioned that the Department of Transportation towed the RV out of the tunnel, and now it’s just a matter of cleanup. However, he did not provide a specific timeframe for when the lanes would reopen.
In a separate incident earlier that day, a car fire on southbound Interstate 5 at Spokane Street also caused significant delays. Authorities were able to extinguish the fire and reopen the road shortly after, but backups lingered for some time.
Motorists are advised to stay updated on traffic conditions and plan their routes accordingly. For real-time traffic updates, drivers can visit the WSDOT website or follow their social media channels.
