Big Rig Fire Snarls Traffic on Highway 101 in San Francisco

Southbound lanes closed for hours as crews battled the blaze near Portola neighborhood.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 8:09pm by Ben Kaplan

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A big rig burst into flames on southbound Highway 101 in San Francisco's Portola neighborhood on Wednesday, creating a major traffic jam that stretched for miles as crews worked to extinguish the fire and clear the scene.

Why it matters

Highway 101 is a critical transportation artery through the San Francisco Bay Area, and any closures or incidents can have significant ripple effects on traffic and commute times across the region. Big rig fires are also relatively rare but can be extremely dangerous, both for the driver and other motorists on the road.

The details

The fire broke out around 5:30 pm on the southbound lanes of Highway 101 near the Alemany Boulevard exit. Firefighters arrived on the scene and spent over an hour battling the blaze, which completely engulfed the big rig's cab. The driver was able to safely exit the vehicle, and there were no reported injuries. All southbound lanes were closed for several hours as crews worked to clear the wreckage and debris.

  • The fire broke out around 5:30 pm on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
  • Firefighters spent over an hour battling the blaze.

The players

Highway 101

A major north-south highway that runs through the San Francisco Bay Area, connecting San Francisco to the South Bay and beyond.

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What’s next

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, which remains under investigation. The southbound lanes of Highway 101 were expected to remain closed for several more hours as the scene was cleared.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of maintaining safe and reliable transportation infrastructure in the Bay Area, as any disruptions to major highways like 101 can have widespread impacts on traffic and commute times for thousands of drivers.