One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Fire sparked by big rig accident shuts down I5 southbound lanes in the Grapevine
The big rigs that sparked a brush fire, shutting down the southbound Interstate 5 in the Grapevine on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017.
(
Courtesy Jim Newton
)
A brush fire sparked by a big rig accident in the Grapevine on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017.
(
Courtesy Jim Newton
)
A brush fire sparked by a big rig accident in the Grapevine on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017.
(
Courtesy Jim Newton
)
Aircraft fight a fire in the Grapevine on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017.
(
Courtesy Jim Newton
)
A brush fire sparked by a big rig accident in the Grapevine on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017.
(
Courtesy Jim Newton
)
A traffic accident involving two burning big rig trucks that sparked a brush fire shut down southbound lanes of Interstate 5 in the Grapevine during Thursday afternoon traffic, according to the California Highway Patrol.
A hillside near the accident was "burning vigorously" before beginning to subside around 4, UCLA Blueprint editor Jim Newton told KPCC.
"It seems like they're making headway — the smoke is subsiding some, but people are out of their cars, and walking around, and taking pictures — generally getting restless, I would say," Newton said.
Fire units, CHP officers and hazmat all responded to the scene, Newton said. There were also helicopters, as well as planes dropping flame retardant on the fire. The accident happened around 3 p.m.
"I assume some people will be in this a very, very long time, because [the traffic jam] goes back as far as the eye can see," Newton said. "It's very hot. My car thermometer registers 99 degrees. ... It's hard to walk around because it's so hot."
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
