A vegetation blaze in the hills above Fremont sent smoke drifting across parts of the Tri-Valley yesterday, but fire crews kept it from turning into a major hillside incident.
The Vargas Fire burned roughly 10 acres near the top of Vargas Road and drew a multi-agency response. Firefighters said they stopped the fire's forward progress within about an hour while investigators worked to determine how it started. Officials asked people to stay away from the area so engines and crews could move in and out without delay.
According to the CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit, the incident was first reported at 2:01 PM yesterday at the top of Vargas Road in Fremont. An early update listed the fire at 10 acres and noted that forward progress had been stopped. CAL FIRE lists the blaze as an Alameda County incident and says the cause remains under investigation.
Local departments join CAL FIRE on the ridge
Coverage from CBS Bay Area reported that Fremont Fire and the Alameda County Fire Department were on scene alongside CAL FIRE, with flames visible from north of Interstate 680. Crews focused on keeping the fire from spreading and protecting nearby roads and open spaces, while keeping access routes clear so incoming equipment did not get stuck in traffic.
Tri-Valley runs a streak of vegetation fires
The Vargas Fire hit during a busy stretch for East Bay firefighting resources. The Pleasanton Weekly reports that a separate 10-acre blaze ignited near I-680 and Sunol Boulevard the day before, and that a larger 1,007-acre incident earlier in the week has kept crews working across Alameda County. Those back-to-back fires have left residents and regular freeway commuters keeping a closer eye on conditions.
Officials urge caution and smoke safety
CAL FIRE's Santa Clara Unit posted on Facebook asking people to avoid the Vargas Road area to allow fire engines and personnel to clear access, and local authorities warned drivers to expect possible delays near I-680. For residents concerned about smoke, the EPA and AirNow recommend staying indoors when smoke is heavy, using an HVAC filter or an N95 respirator if you need to be outside, and checking the AirNow Fire & Smoke map for current air quality conditions.
The CAL FIRE incident page states that investigators remain on scene and that the cause is still under investigation. Officials said they will post updates on the agency's incident page and through local fire departments as the situation develops. We will update this story as agencies release more information.
