Tanker fire closes Glenn off-ramp to Palmer

PALMER -- A trailer hauling more than 6,000 gallons of diesel fuel caught fire on Friday on the Glenn Highway on Friday, sending a massive plume of smoke towering over the Mat-Su Valley and snarling early afternoon State Fair traffic bound for Palmer.

The fire occurred at around 12:30 p.m. on the northbound off-ramp heading toward Palmer. According to Mat-Su Borough deputy director of fire and emergency services Ken Barkley, the driver of the Fisher's Fuel truck hauling the trailer was uninjured in the incident.

"No injuries. The truck driver continued on to get out of the area," he said.

Barkley said the off-ramp to Palmer will likely be shut down for several hours while an investigation takes place. Drivers were using the Trunk Road exit to get to Palmer, and the road was already backing up as of about 1:45 p.m.

Alaska State Troopers spokeswoman Beth Ipsen said the off-ramp is expected to be closed until around 5 p.m. She said Troopers are suggesting that motorists heading to the State Fair in Palmer either take the Old Glenn Highway or Trunk Road. The best way to find out when the off-ramp is open again is to check 511.alaska.gov.

This is a developing story; check back for details.