Big rig fire burns into brush several miles north of El Tejon School

LEBEC, CA (Monday, May 22, 2017 at 5:19 p.m.)—After four lanes had been shut down, the number 3 northbound lane has been opened, leaving one lane still closed. According to Kern County Fire Department Public Information Officer Captain Jason Knaggs, the brushfire was contained at under a half acre. The big rig was hauling large rolls of paper in its trailer which was disconnected from the tractor to prevent damage, Knaggs told The Mountain Enterprise.

LEBEC, CA (Monday, May 22, 2017 at 4:17 p.m.)—The #1 and #2 lanes have been opened.

LEBEC, CA (Monday, May 22, 2017 at 4:09 p.m.)—The brush fire was knocked down by Kern County Fire Department at 4:02 p.m., according to Public Information Officer Captain Jason Knaggs. The big rig fire continues to burn, causing northbound lanes to be closed.

LEBEC, CA (Monday, May 22, 2017 at 3:55 p.m.)—A Gardner Trucking big rig that caught fire in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5 has ignited a brush fire near the eastern truck escape ramp, about five miles north of El Tejon School. Caltrans is closing down lanes to allow firefighting equipment access to the scene. A traffic break will be put in place from the Lebec overpass. CHP preliminary reports were that the entire back of the trailer being hauled by the big rig was on fire, and that the fire was burning into brush in a “south-easterly direction.”

This is part of the May 19, 2017 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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