The pork industry faced an unusual transportation setback this weekend when a semi-truck carrying 41,000 pounds of pork meat caught fire on Interstate 29 near Oxbow, North Dakota, close to the Minnesota border.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening, January 5, as the truck traveled northbound. The trailer was fully engulfed in flames, causing its side to split open. No injuries were reported, but the cleanup was particularly challenging due to melted pork fat draining onto the roadway during the blaze.
The North Dakota Highway Patrol, which is leading the investigation, has yet to determine the cause of the fire.
Traffic Disruption and Response
To manage the situation, all northbound lanes of I-29 between Exit 50 (Oxbow) and Exit 54 (Davenport) were closed for approximately three hours, while responders worked to extinguish the fire and clear debris. One lane remained closed until noon on Sunday to allow for thorough cleanup.
Agencies responding to the incident included:
- The Cass County Sheriff’s Department
- Southern Valley Fire and Rescue
- Kindred Fire and Rescue
- The North Dakota Department of Transportation
The response highlighted the complexities of transporting perishable goods like pork and underscores the importance of safety and preparation in swine logistics.
Industry Implications
This incident is a stark reminder of the risks associated with moving large quantities of pork across state lines. For producers and haulers, it raises questions about emergency preparedness and the impact of delays in the supply chain. While no injuries occurred, the loss of 41,000 pounds of pork is significant and may have downstream effects on product availability and market prices.
Swine Web will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
For further details, contact Sergeant Adam Malafa of the North Dakota Highway Patrol at (701) 891-1654 or ammalafa@nd.gov.
