Semi Truck Bursts Into Flames On 215 Freeway

A semi truck caught fire Thursday morning on the 215 Freeway in Riverside, causing significant traffic backups through an already heavily traveled interchange.

At approximately 9:14 a.m. on August 27, 2026, firefighters and CHP officers responded to the southbound 215 Freeway near the Box Springs Road off-ramp following reports of a semi truck on fire.

CHP arrived to find the cab of the semi fully engulfed in flames. The driver was able to get out of the truck safely before firefighters arrived.

Crews brought the fire under control in approximately 10 minutes.

Flames also spread to a small area of brush alongside the freeway, but firefighters quickly contained the vegetation fire.

The semi’s trailer was empty, and no injuries were reported.

The incident caused extremely heavy traffic, with backups impacting the eastbound 91 to southbound 215 interchange.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Comments