Highway 101 brush fire closes overpass in Atascadero, backs up traffic
Firefighters were responding to a fire along Highway 41 near Los Altos Road around midday Saturday when another fire erupted along Highway 101 in Atascadero, backing up traffic for hours in both directions.
Because crews were busy at the first fire, “off-duty staff and additional firefighters from the North County were dispatched to the new incident,” according to a news release from Atascadero Fire and Emergency Services.
When firefighters arrived at the scene along the highway, the fire was burning grass in at least three separate areas around the San Anselmo Road overpass. Flames quickly jumped from the ground into nearby trees.
CHP officers closed the overpass as flames burned on either side, while firefighters attacked the flames.
More than five hours later, the fires were fully extinguished, the fire department said.
“The cause of the fire was roadway-related from vehicles passing by on Highway 101,” Atascadero Fire and Emergency Services said. “Further investigation is currently underway.”
Ten agencies assisted in extinguishing the highway fire, including Atascadero police, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, Cal Fire, Atascadero State Hospital Fire, Paso Robles Fire, Templeton Fire, San Miguel Fire, PG&E and Atascadero Fire.
In total, 36 firefighters, 10 engines, one water tender and four command officers were used.
The blaze was stopped at two acres, and no injuries were reported.
The fire along Highway 41 was quickly contained at about a quarter-acre.
