Asparagus truck catches fire

BY ERIC LINDBERG
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

A semitrailer hauling asparagus caught fire on Highway 101 near Los Alamos early yesterday morning, closing down a lane of the highway into the afternoon.
Authorities received reports of a big rig with a wheel on fire still traveling along the roadway at approximately 3:30 a.m., according to California Highway Patrol dispatchers. Ten minutes later, witnesses reported the semitrailer was still on fire. By 4 a.m., the driver had stopped and the rig had become engulfed in flames, according to the CHP.

Firefighters arrived on scene to find flames shooting from the box of the truck, County Fire Capt. Eli Iskow said, but managed to separate the cab and gain control of the blaze within minutes.
The incident occurred near the junction of Cat Canyon Road north of Los Alamos, according to the CHP. Flames damaged every tire on the 53-foot semitrailer, prompting authorities to call in special tow trucks to remove the scorched trailer.
Firefighters left the scene by 5:30 a.m., according to CHP dispatchers, but Caltrans officials estimated the slow lane of the highway would remain closed until 3 p.m.