A vegetation fire that began as a single vehicle blaze on I-580 near Golf Links Road in Oakland was surrounded and contained by fire crews, as reported in a tweet from the Oakland Fire Department. The incident did not threaten any structures, and about 30 firefighters were brought to the scene to combat the flames. The emergency response slowed traffic along WB 580 before the 98th/Golf Links Rd exit, which led to the temporary closure of the 3rd and 4th lanes.
According to an update by the Oakland Fire Department, the fire kicked off because of a vehicular incident that quickly spread to the nearby vegetation. The crews were able to catch up to the fire activity and contain it, diligently working to extinguish hotspots that persisted in the area. Moving slowly, the traffic resulted from the then-active fire suppression efforts and the ongoing investigation into the cause of the initial vehicle fire.
Update 3) The 3rd & 4th lane on 580 remains closed just before the 98th / Golf Links Rd exit due to this 2Alarm vegetation fire that started with a single vehicle fire. No reports of any injuries. OFD and @oakzoo will be on fire watch all night to monitor area. @KCBSAMFMTraffic https://t.co/5PJ8i7QQZl pic.twitter.com/zDdEfPeGD3
— Oakland Fire Department (CA) (@OaklandFireCA) June 22, 2024
No injuries were reported due to the fire, and firefighters and the Oakland Zoo have committed to monitoring the area throughout the night to prevent any potential flare-ups. This vigilance comes as a proactive step in fire management, acknowledging the dry conditions that can favor the rekindling of wildfires.
The closure of two lanes on the impacted stretch of I-580 raised the specter of extended traffic delays. Commuters were faced with the sight of emergency responders at work. By morning, the Oakland Fire Department had the situation well in hand.
