THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED
NORTH COAST, Calif. – A tree that fell early Monday morning and knocked down power lines across Highway 29 on Mount St. Helena led to a brief highway shutdown near Calistoga, with the roadway reopened shortly before 6 a.m.
The large tree – said to be 3 feet in diameter – was reported across the roadway at Highway 29 near the Old Lawley Toll Road shortly before 3 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.
The CHP reported that the tree also took down some power lines, causing a small fire. Fire units were on scene to respond to the blaze.
The highway was blocked in both directions at the toll road, about 5 miles north of Calistoga, for about three hours as firefighters and emergency personnel worked at the scene, the CHP reported.
Calistoga Police Department shut down the highway at Tubbs Lane and Lake County officials were asked to close the highway on their side, according to the CHP.
An extended highway closure was anticipated, and just after 5:30 a.m. it was reported that Caltrans crews were trying to clear the roadway.
At 5:50 a.m. the CHP and Caltrans reported that the roadway was open once again. At that point radio reports indicated that firefighters were being released from the scene.
Steady rains had arrived in the area overnight, which may have been a contributor to the fallen tree.