All lanes of Highway 17 near the Santa Cruz Mountains summit were shut down for two hours Monday afternoon after a car fire spread into nearby brush and trees.The California Highway Patrol said one southbound lane of Highway 17 would remain closed until 10 p.m. Tuesday.CalTrans crews had to cut down trees burned in the blaze that were in danger of falling onto the heavily-traveled road.But crews finished tree chopping early, and all southbound lanes were reopened at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.A car caught on fire near Redwood Estates and flames spread up a hillside into trees at 3:20 p.m. Monday.CalFire officials said the grass fire spread across five acres and some houses were threatened.CHP officers were concerned that burning trees may fall, so they closed lanes in all directions.Drivers were detoured off Highway 17 at Bear Creek Road and Summit Road. The CHP issued a SIG Alert warning drivers to expect long delays.A helicopter made several air drops over the blaze with water scooped out of the Lexington Reservoir.

All lanes of Highway 17 near the Santa Cruz Mountains summit were shut down for two hours Monday afternoon after a car fire spread into nearby brush and trees.

The California Highway Patrol said one southbound lane of Highway 17 would remain closed until 10 p.m. Tuesday.


CalTrans crews had to cut down trees burned in the blaze that were in danger of falling onto the heavily-traveled road.

But crews finished tree chopping early, and all southbound lanes were reopened at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.

A car caught on fire near Redwood Estates and flames spread up a hillside into trees at 3:20 p.m. Monday.

CalFire officials said the grass fire spread across five acres and some houses were threatened.

CHP officers were concerned that burning trees may fall, so they closed lanes in all directions.

Drivers were detoured off Highway 17 at Bear Creek Road and Summit Road. The CHP issued a SIG Alert warning drivers to expect long delays.

A helicopter made several air drops over the blaze with water scooped out of the Lexington Reservoir.