Trash Truck Fire on 5 Freeway in Los Angeles Causes Lane Closures and Traffic Nightmare on Election Day
A city of Los Angeles sanitation truck caught fire on the southbound Interstate 5 Freeway near the Osborne Street on-ramp in Arleta on Tuesday afternoon, November 3, 2026. The incident, reported around 3:10 p.m., involved "heavy flames" underneath the vehicle, prompting multiple lane closures. By 3:45 p.m., all southbound lanes of I-5 were closed, although some began reopening around 4:15 p.m. As of 4:20 p.m., several lanes remained closed. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that some drivers stuck in traffic were making U-turns to go the wrong way and exit the on-ramp. The timing of the incident, on Election Day, caused significant headaches for last-minute voters in California, where anyone in line by 8 p.m. is allowed to vote.
