Fire burns four acres near Nojoqui summit and a car may be to blame

Fire crews are investigating a brush fire that broke out just before 11:30 a.m. Friday near the Nojoqui summit south of Buellton.

The California Highway Patrol reported that a passing vehicle may have started the fire. According to the CHP traffic incident website, a large white box truck was found parked on the southbound side of U.S. Highway 101 near state Route 1 with smoke coming from under the truck.

However, the official cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Firefighters managed to stop the forward progress of the fire, which broke out on the southbound side of Highway 101 and scorched four acres, in about 30 minutes.

At least one lane of the U.S. 101 was closed off to allow crews to deal with the fire. No structures were threatened during this incident.

Two air tankers and one water-dropping helicopter were initially dispatched to the scene to help battle the blaze. No further details were immediately available.