Motorist and dog escape car fire

A driver from Nebraska escaped injury after her car burst into flames as she was driving on Highway 20 near the Tollgate entrance on Thursday, May 17.

According to Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Department public information officer Julie Spor, the driver was headed eastbound at about 9:23 a.m. when she heard a loud pop or crack and pulled over on the shoulder of the highway.

"The motorist behind her let her know that her car was on fire," Spor said.

The woman got her dog out of the vehicle as the flames quickly spread from the engine compartment into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Firefighters responded and doused the blaze. The fire was prevented from spreading to the brush on the side of the road.

Spor reported that the 2005 GMC Envoy sustained $6,500 in damage.

Traffic on Highway 20 was impeded briefly during the incident.