A Tesla burned on Highway 101. Credit: Ryan Grebe / Cal Fire (Courtesy)
A Tesla caught fire on Highway 101, just five miles north of Cal Poly’s campus at 1:45 p.m. today, sparking a fire, according to Cal Fire. It has since grown to 50 acres and is 20% contained, according to Cal Fire Spokesperson Ryan Grebe. The fire is no longer actively burning.
Cal Fire issued a mandatory evacuation order for areas in the northern Los Padres Forest. The evacuation includes areas north of Mount Lowe Road, east of Highway 101, south of Forest Route 29S04, and west of Burrito Creek Road. Cal Poly is not under evacuation and has not released any emergency alerts.
California Highway Patrol first received reports of the vehicle stopped on the side of the highway, with the occupant outside of the vehicle by the time they arrived. Ten minutes later the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames, which rapidly spread into dry grass on the hillside. The fire moved northeast from the Ryan’s Gate property up toward Cuesta Ridge at a fast pace.
First responders at the scene. Credit: Ryan Grebe / Cal Fire (Courtesy)
First responders arrived at the 5-acre blaze at 2 p.m., and the fire reached 32.9 acres within 20 minutes.
Emergency vehicles lined the eastern shoulder of Highway 101, blocking the right two northbound lanes. While traffic continued slowly in the far-left lane, northbound vehicles backed up to the base of the Grade near the Reservoir Canyon crossing.
Cal Fire requested Type 3 engines, hand crews, water tenders, a bulldozer, a Type 1 helicopter and air tankers. One hundred thirty personnel have been assigned so far, according to Cal Fire. One air tanker has dropped retardant along the ridge.
Helicopter flying to the fire. Credit: Lloyd Esola / Mustang News
Cal Fire stated that the cause of the vehicle fire remains under investigation.