A semi truck fire on Monday shut down both directions of State Route 79 south of the US 60 junction near Florence, clogging traffic on the rural highway and sending smoke into the air. Fire crews and highway responders were on scene while the transportation department urged motorists to avoid the area. As of Monday afternoon there were no official reports of injuries or a confirmed cause.
SR 79 south of US 60: A semi fire has both directions of travel blocked. Check roads & traffic at https://t.co/81gvrvwFw9 or download our app: Apple: https://t.co/0mekn2XoYN Android: https://t.co/UaWJeK5tT4
— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) March 2, 2026
Official alert and real-time info
Arizona Department of Transportation posted on X that "SR 79 south of US 60: A semi fire has both directions of travel blocked," according to Arizona DOT. The agency urged drivers to check live conditions on AZ511 or through ADOT’s mobile apps for the latest updates. The initial alert did not offer any information about the cause of the fire or whether anyone was hurt.
Traffic impact and what to expect
Because SR 79 is mostly two lanes through this stretch, a full closure tends to trigger long backups with few good detour options. Emergency crews typically stay in place until the fire is fully out and the pavement is inspected, a process that can keep a highway closed for hours. Local drivers around Florence reported heavy delays and patchy visibility from the smoke while responders worked the scene.
History of closures along SR 79
SR 79 has seen multiple closures in the past when grass fires or crashes threatened the roadway. Local reporting from AZFamily documented a string of grass and brush fires along portions of the route in March 2025 that were handled as a single incident and at times forced lane or full-route closures near Oracle Junction and Florence, highlighting how quickly smoke and flames can make the corridor unsafe for travel. AZFamily reviewed those earlier incidents.
What drivers should do now
Drivers heading through the Florence area should expect significant delays and consider alternate routes until the highway reopens. For the latest information on the current closure, check AZ511 or ADOT’s traveler pages at azdot.gov for official reopening notices and any posted detour information.
