Tour Bus Catches Fire on Highway 17 Santa Cruz Mountains, All 37 Evacuate Unharmed

A charter bus carrying 32 children and five adults caught fire Friday morning while traveling southbound on Highway 17 in the Santa Cruz Mountains near Idylwild Road. The driver, noticing mechanical problems, was able to safely pull over and evacuate all occupants before the bus became fully engulfed in flames; no injuries were reported. Emergency crews responded, closing two southbound lanes and advising drivers to avoid the area due to expected traffic delays as cleanup continued. Another bus arrived to transport the evacuated passengers to their destination in Santa Cruz. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and updates are expected as officials release more information.