LIVERMORE — Firefighters were working to contain a grass fire Tuesday evening along Interstate 580 lanes that sent smoke into the area visible from two counties, authorities said.
The fire began shortly after 5:40 p.m. beside eastbound I-580 lanes east of the North Flynn Road off-ramp, and may have been sparked by a vehicle that caught fire on the highway’s right-hand side.
Livermore-Pleasanton and Alameda County fire department firefighters joined Cal Fire resources in tackling the blaze, initially estimated at 15 to 20 acres and growing to 50 acres by 6:50 p.m. with no containment.
A social-media post by an Alameda County Fire Department account estimated potential spread of up to 120 acres. Soon after reaching that size, Cal Fire posted that the fire was estimated at 40 percent containment just before 7:30 p.m.
California Highway Patrol officers also responded, issuing a Sig-alert at 6:03 p.m. closing the highway’s right-hand lanes near the fire until further notice, and advising drivers to avoid the area or seek alternate routes. The alert was lifted just before 8:30 p.m.
Caltrans staffers set up a hard closure of the lane from west of Flynn Road to Stonecut Gap to allow crews to work to contain the flames.
There were no initial reports of any threatened structures or evacuations, and a cause was under investigation.
Check back for updates.
Firefighters responding to a vegetation fire in the area of I580 X N Flynn RD Altamont pic.twitter.com/w5pC76BlCw
— CAL FIRE SCU (@calfireSCU) July 20, 2022
#FlynnFire approximately 15 to 20 acres wind driven in steep terrain firefighters are making access to make an aggressive initial attack pic.twitter.com/77SSZIkLzZ
— CAL FIRE SCU (@calfireSCU) July 20, 2022
Working Vegetation Fire EB 580/N Flynn, Batt 3 reporting 50-70 Acre Fire, wind driven potential for 120 Acres. Crews en route. Avoid the area. @calfireSCU @LPFDFirefighter pic.twitter.com/kpW3FcSBFm
— Alameda County Fire (@AlamedaCoFire) July 20, 2022
#FlynnFire is now at 50acres 0% contained moderate rate of spread. Firefighters are working diligently to stop forward progress @alcofirefighter pic.twitter.com/UNQZ7YOzN7
— CAL FIRE SCU (@calfireSCU) July 20, 2022
Fire is now at approx 120 acres #FlynnFire firefighters still have extensive mop up @alcofirefighter @LPFDFirefighter pic.twitter.com/6zJN1NgglK
— CAL FIRE SCU (@calfireSCU) July 20, 2022
Fire is now at 40% contained #FlynnFire @alcofirefighter @LPFDFirefighter
— CAL FIRE SCU (@calfireSCU) July 20, 2022
OES Intel 12, July 19th on the #FlynnFire SCU. Fire is mapped at 174 acres at 19:09. Forward rate of spread has been stopped. pic.twitter.com/buExiUaquf
— FIRIS (@FIRIS) July 20, 2022
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.
Source: www.mercurynews.com