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.
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.
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.
No injuries have been reported.
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.
