Semi Truck Fire Shuts Down Stretch Of I-805 In San Diego

A SigAlert was issued for the area due to the incident.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 2:52pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A semi truck fire on southbound Interstate 805 in San Diego on Tuesday morning has shut down all southbound lanes south of Murray Ridge Road, causing major traffic backups. Crews are working to extinguish the flames, and Caltrans is preparing to fully close the southbound side of the freeway for about five hours.

Why it matters

Interstate 805 is a major thoroughfare in San Diego, and this closure will significantly impact commuters and travelers in the area, causing delays and requiring the use of alternate routes.

The details

The fire was reported shortly after 6 a.m. on southbound I-805, just south of Friars Road. All southbound lanes were stopped south of Murray Ridge Road, and a SigAlert was issued for the area. By 6:30 a.m., Caltrans was preparing to fully close the southbound side of the freeway for about five hours. Traffic on northbound I-805 was also backed up from state Route 54 to I-8, and drivers heading south were advised to use state Route 163 as an alternate route.

  • The fire was reported shortly after 6 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
  • By 6:30 a.m., Caltrans was preparing to fully close the southbound side of the freeway for about five hours.

The players

San Diego Fire-Rescue Department

The fire department that responded to the semi truck fire on I-805.

California Highway Patrol

The law enforcement agency that issued the SigAlert and provided updates on the traffic situation.

Caltrans

The state transportation agency that was preparing to fully close the southbound side of I-805.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of maintaining safe and reliable transportation infrastructure, as well as the need for effective emergency response and traffic management to minimize the impact of such incidents on commuters and travelers.