OAKLAND — Firefighters managed to contain a four-alarm grass fire Monday that led to significant backup along nearby Interstate 580 lanes, authorities said.
Just after 6:15 p.m., Oakland Fire Department firefighters and California Highway Patrol officers responded to reports of a brush fire that appeared to have been started by a vehicle that caught fire on the shoulder of westbound I-580 lanes just west of the Edwards Avenue exit.
Flames appeared to spread into heavy brush nearby and pose threats to homes along Blue Rock Court, but there were no initial reports of injuries.
At least several right-hand lanes were closed to traffic during the response, leading to traffic back-ups to at least Keller Avenue.
At 7:28 p.m., the CHP issued a Sig-alert closing the roadway’s two right-hand or Nos. 3 and 4 lanes, advising drivers to avoid the area or seek alternate travel routes.
By 7:30 p.m., Oakland fire staff said in a social-media post that the fire was contained, with crews working to extinguish hot spots.
East Oakland’s I-580 corridor has seen multiple fires within the last two weeks, including a blaze Sept. 16 at the 35th Avenue exit that spread to four homes and displaced at least 10 residents, as well as a blaze last week between the 35th Avenue and Coolidge Street exits that Oakland fire investigators determined appeared to have been intentionally set.
Check back for updates.
Fire crews are on scene of a 2 Alarm vegetation fire near the Edwards exit of 580 along the westbound side of the freeway, incident appears to have been caused by a vehicle fire. Updates to come.
— Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) September 27, 2022
Welp, fire season is here. This is right off of 580 at Seminary. #OaklandCA #oaklandfire pic.twitter.com/RKixPWv1O5
— Sam Grace (@ailiathena) September 27, 2022
Incident has gone to a 3rd Alarm. https://t.co/r22fpej4gb
— Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) September 27, 2022
Crews reporting that no structures are threatened at this time. Still a very active vegetation fire. https://t.co/P9uCi0p78B
— Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) September 27, 2022
This incident has gone to a 4th Alarm. https://t.co/UBnzVkOC2w
— Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) September 27, 2022
The 4 Alarm vegetation fire is now contained with a line around remaining fire, as crews continue to extinguish hot spots. @CHPoakland has Traffic moving slowly on Westbound 580. No structures have impacted, per the Incident Commander, and no injuries injuries reported thus far. https://t.co/6djv8ajrVm pic.twitter.com/M33uph3UPG
— Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) September 27, 2022
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.