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. 

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.

The cause of the fire was not immediately available nor was any word of injuries.