Brush Fire Breaks Out Along Interstate 5

Update: The freeway completely re-opened at 4:32 p.m. Tuesday.

A vehicle fire caused the partial closure of Interstate 5 Southbound in La Jolla on Tuesday afternoon.

The fire was caused by a truck that pulled over on southbound lane of Interstate 5 between the Grand and Garnet Avenue exit and State Route 52 connection. Fifty firefighters and helicopters responded to the fire at about 2:28 p.m. and the fire was contained within 30 minutes. The fire burned about two acres, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue spokesman Maurice Luque.

"This is an example of a number of areas in San Diego that are very challenging in terms of threat," Luque said. "There is no water supply and there is thick vegetation. We are lucky there were mild winds and no Santa Ana conditions."

A San Diego Fire-Rescue helicopter dumped five loads of water onto the fire from overhead. The helicopter also filled up on oceanwater because supply options were limited near the highway.

One firefighter was injured in the eye and was transported to a nearby hospital for an evaluation. The driver of the truck was not injured, according to Luque.

No structures were damaged though nearby residents volunteered to evacuate. 

As of 3:26 p.m., only two lanes were opened on Interstate 5. Officials expect to completely re-open the freeway around 4:15 p.m.

No other information was immediately available. Stay with Patch for updates.