Officials with the Colorado Department of Transportation sent out a warning to Denver-area drivers on Thursday afternoon to avoid heading up to the high country due to a fatal crash on Interstate 70.

A multiple vehicle car crash on I-70 near the Eisenhower Tunnel has resulted in a significant fire. The crash happened at mile marker 218. I-70 is closed in both directions. According to the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office,

Both eastbound and westbound I-70 were closed due to the crash. Eastbound lanes quickly reopened, but westbound lanes stayed closed for several hours, causing severe backups for drivers heading out west ahead of the Fourth of July weekend.