DRIVING IN BEACH DUNE AREA IN OREGON (HAD ARRIVED MAYBE 10 MINUTES EARLIER). SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND CAR BURNED TO THE GROUND. NO OVERHEATING OF ENGINE COOLANT BUT HOT OIL AND OTHER LIGHTS FLICKERED BEFORE SHUTTING ENGINE OFF. GOT OUT OF VEHICLE, LOOKED UNDER HOOD AND WIRE HARNESS ALONG FIREWALL WAS ON FIRE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THAT AND BETWEEN ENGINE AND FIREWALL. TRIED TO SUPPRESS FIRE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. CAR A TOTAL LOSS - BURNED TO THE GROUND. *TR