Box Truck Fire Shuts Down Northbound Highway 101 Lanes Sunday Morning

A box truck fire caused traffic delays on northbound Highway 101 early Sunday morning after the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames near the Gaviota coast.

The incident occurred at approximately 6:15 a.m. on Highway 101 Northbound, about one mile north of the State Route 1 off-ramp.

According to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, the driver of the box truck pulled over to the shoulder after the vehicle lost power. Shortly after, the truck caught fire and became fully involved in flames.

Box Truck Fire: 101 NB just a mile north of SR 1 off-ramp. SBC Fire responded to a box truck fire. The vehicle lost power and the driver pulled over became fully involved.

All three occupants evacuated safely, no injuries reported. Heavy smoke caused a closure to lanes on the… pic.twitter.com/WGfFuOKiaT

— PIO (@PIOSBCFireInfo) January 25, 2026

All three occupants of the vehicle were able to evacuate safely before firefighters arrived, and no injuries were reported.

Santa Barbara County Fire crews responded to the scene to extinguish the blaze. Heavy smoke from the fire billowed across the highway, prompting the California Highway Patrol to close lanes on the northbound side of the freeway.

Motorists were advised to expect delays in the area while emergency crews worked to clear the scene. The California Highway Patrol has reopened the lanes of Highway 101 northbound in the area. The official cause of the fire is under investigation.