Burning big rig, vegetation fire blocks traffic on U.S. Highway 50 in Sierra
KYBURZ, El Dorado County -- A fire was burning a big rig and vegetation on U.S. Highway 50 in the Sierra Friday afternoon, at one point shutting lanes in both directions during the July 4th holiday travel rush.
Just before 11:30 a.m., the California Highway Patrol said the fire was just east of Kyburz in El Dorado County. Motorists were being detoured off onto Highway 49 in Placerville or Sly Park Rd in Pollock Pines.
Highway 50 is shut down in both directions just east of Kyburz due to a big-rig / vegetation fire. Crews are on scene. Please use an alternate route. pic.twitter.com/tZJRSaFZDG
— CHP Placerville (@CHPPlacerville) July 1, 2022
At about 1 p.m., Caltrans said one-way traffic control had been established in the area but delays stretched for miles in both directions.
Steady line of traffic heading into Meyers and @cityofslt for the July Fourth Holiday weekend. One-way traffic control in Kyburz for the vegetation fire and traffic is SLOWLY getting through the area. Expect significant delays. @CountyElDorado @CHPPlacerville @CHPSouthLake pic.twitter.com/PWkjZyCBBR
— Caltrans District 3 (@CaltransDist3) July 1, 2022
The cause of the fire was not immediately available nor was any word of injuries.