On December 20th at approximately 2:20 pm multiple calls went into emergency dispatch reporting a car on fire off Highway 38 at mile marker 39. As fire department responded, callers reported that the vehicle fire had spread into vegetation. First engine on scene, 283, from Sugarloaf. Big Bear fire fighters attacked vegetation and stopped the forward rate of spread.
The vehicle fire was knocked down with in 15 minutes. A Second unit was requested to the scene for additional water supply. The vegetation fire was stopped at approximately 150×150 spot. Us Forest worked on the vegetation fire mop up. During the investigation the driver stated he stopped on the side of the road for a bathroom break.
When he exited his vehicle he did not put the vehicle in park. The vehicle then rolled down the embankment and caught fire, coming to rest against a large downed tree. That part of the incident is under investigation by US forest service.
The driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. California highway patrol booked the driver into Central Detention Center. US Forest Service and Highway Patrol will be handling the investigation.