Wildfire Shuts Down 580 Near Altamont Pass
ALTAMONT (CBS SF) -- A wildfire quickly grew to over 600 acres Sunday evening, draping smoke and fire across Highway 580 near the Altmont Pass, shutting down the freeway.
View of the #GrantFire from EB I-580 just west of Grant Line Rd. The fire is approximately 500 acres & 20% contained. EB I-580 at North Flynn Rd remains closed. @CAL_FIRE @CHPDublin #Livermore #AltamontPass pic.twitter.com/gVvq5b2z9C
— Alameda County Fire (@AlamedaCoFire) July 9, 2018
#GrantFire Update: @CHPDublin escorting traffic through the Altamont Pass. I-580 remains closed on both sides pic.twitter.com/8Qp9NahlJC
— Alameda County Fire (@AlamedaCoFire) July 9, 2018
The California Highway Patrol said the blaze -- the Grant Fire -- was reported after 5 p.m. and the highway was closed from North Flynn Road near Livermore to Grant Line Road near Tracy.
The busy freeway connecting Tracy and the Central Valley was closed from 6:20 p.m. until 12:01 a.m. Monday. The fire was fully contained as of 8 a.m. Monday.
Livermore: View from eastbound I-580 just west of Grant Line Rd. No visibility. Fire has jumped the freeway. I-580 closed both directions. pic.twitter.com/G3p1IwQGLZ
— Alameda County Fire (@AlamedaCoFire) July 9, 2018
The blaze caused some tense moments as it jumped the busy freeway and was burning on both sides as cars rushed by. Fire officials said that there was no visibility in the area due to thick, black smoke.
#GrantFire Update: The fire is located off of I-580 & Grant Line Rd and is approximately 250 acres. CHP units are working on shutting down both directions of I-580. @CAL_FIRE pic.twitter.com/nVn8UzuKbI
— Alameda County Fire (@AlamedaCoFire) July 9, 2018
No injuries have been reported.
Stuck in traffic on eastbound I-580 & helping with the #GrantFire is Rigo Lobo from United Transportation. pic.twitter.com/CzE7Ne0A36
— Alameda County Fire (@AlamedaCoFire) July 9, 2018
A Sig-alert was issued at 6:29 p.m. and the westbound lanes were reopened by 9:12 p.m.
Alameda County fire spokeswoman Aisha Knowles said all county units have been released from the blaze as of 12:25 a.m. and Cal Fire's Santa Clara unit will be leading the investigation into the fire and continuing firefighting efforts.