Burning Car Ignites Brush Fire Near Corona

CORONA, CA — A fire that consumed a vehicle stranded along the Corona (71) Expressway near the Prado Dam Tuesday set off a brush fire that forced the partial closure of the expressway. The non-injury blaze was reported shortly after 2 p.m. on the northbound 71, near the junction with the Riverside (91) Freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol.

As of 4:07 p.m., the fire had burned through approximately 120 acres, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. However, no structures were immediately threatened and no evacuations were necessary.

The fire was zero percent contained.

The agency said a white sedan caught fire, possibly from overheating, and the vehicle was quickly engulfed.

Flames jumped from the car to dry vegetation nearby, culminating in a brusher that prompted the CHP to shut down all northbound lanes going into San Bernardino County.

A SigAlert was issued at 2:30 p.m. because of the ensuing traffic jam.

Ontario Fire Department personnel were sent to assist Corona Fire Department crews in trying to encircle the blaze, which was not posing an immediate threat to homes or other structures.

— City News Service contributed to this report/ Image via Corona Fire Department