Stuck in Traffic

Traffic was left at a standstill Friday in the eastbound land of Interstate 94 about four miles west of Medora after a semi hauling hay bales caught fire at approximately 1 p.m. Semi driver Raul Medina-Reyes, 53, Wyoming, Mich., noticed flames coming from his load and pulled over to the shoulder to unhook the trailer from the truck, according to a press release from the North Dakota Highway Patrol. He then drove himself to the hospital in Dickinson where he was treated for minor injuries. The Highway Patrol, Billings County Sheriff's Office and Medora Fire Department were on scene. The lane was closed for about three hours before the Highway Patrol reopened one lane at approximately 4:15 p.m. after getting the fire under control, according to the release. Those stuck in the standstill milled about at the edges of the highway. Some took time to picnic. Both lanes were reopened at about 7 p.m., Sgt. Chris Messer said. Authorities do not know the cause of the fire, he added. The fire caused $25,000 in damage to the semi and hay.