Traffic
Fond du Lac County, WI: I-41 Reopens After Fiery Truck Blaze
Fond du Lac, WI – A massive overnight box truck fire along Interstate 41 in southeastern Wisconsin forced authorities to shut down northbound traffic for approximately four hours Wednesday, Oct. 21, a
By Lauren Beckett · 2026-10-21T16:27:45.269Z
Fond du Lac, WI – A massive overnight box truck fire along Interstate 41 in southeastern Wisconsin forced authorities to shut down northbound traffic for approximately four hours Wednesday, Oct. 21, after flames destroyed the vehicle and melted metal onto the highway.
According to the Fond du Lac County Sheriff 's Office, dispatchers received a 911 call at approximately 1:50 a.m. reporting a box truck on fire in the northbound lanes of I 41 near mile marker 90 in the town of Byron.
A responding deputy arrived to find the truck fully engulfed in flames.
Firefighters from the Brownsville and Lomira fire departments responded to battle the blaze.
Interstate 41 Shut Down for Hours
Due to the severity of the fire, authorities initially closed northbound I 41 at State Highway 49 in neighboring Dodge County.
Traffic was diverted westbound on Highway 49, northbound on Highway 175 and eastbound on County Highway B before returning to northbound I 41.
The closure affected a major north south transportation corridor connecting communities throughout eastern Wisconsin.
Melted Metal Creates Additional Road Hazard
Even after firefighters extinguished the flames, crews discovered an unusual hazard that prevented the highway from immediately reopening.
According to deputies, chunks of metal from the burned truck had melted onto the interstate's travel lanes and hardened against the pavement.
The Fond du Lac County Highway Department was called to remove the metal and make the roadway safe for motorists.
Authorities confirmed that both the truck and its contents were considered a total loss.
Despite the intensity of the fire, no civilian or emergency responder injuries were reported.
Highway Reopens Wednesday Morning
Northbound Interstate 41 reopened at approximately 5:50 a.m. Wednesday following the extended closure and cleanup.
Investigators do not consider the fire suspicious.
Motorists traveling through the Byron area should remain attentive to changing roadway conditions, although the sheriff's office confirmed the affected lanes have reopened.