Fire Blocks Part of Interstate 40 Valdese- Brush fire blocked a part of Interstate 40 near Exit 111 in Valdese Wednesday. The fire was in some brush off the side of the Interstate. Firefighters from Icard and Lovelady Fire Departments remained on the scene for approximately an hour and a half. Traffic was backed up from around 3:30 until 5:15 p.m. Fire officials do not know what caused the fire.