All Lanes of Hwy 4 Reopen Following Discovery Bay Brush Fire
DISCOVERY BAY (CBS SF) -- A brush fire in Discovery Bay disrupted traffic on Highway 4 in both directions for hours Monday, according to CHP.
The blaze, reported shortly before 3 p.m. along the 17000 block of state Highway 4, has scorched about a 1/4 acre adjacent to the roadway, said East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Fire Marshal Steve Aubert.
The fire was burning east of Discovery Bay Boulevard on both sides of the highway, authorities said. Heavy smoke has reduced visibility in the area to nearly zero, according to reports.
Smoke from the fire prompted the California Highway Patrol to shut down Highway 4 while crews battled the fire.
Forward progress on the blaze was stopped about 3:40 p.m., Aubert said.
The 511.org Twitter account posted about the fire at around 3:45 p.m.
CHP issued a severe traffic alert, noting that the fire had blocked all lanes.
As of about 5:40 p.m., CHP said one-way traffic control was in effect due to the fire.
However, it wasn't until almost three hours later that officials finally confirmed that all lanes of traffic had reopened.
Motorists were advised to expect residual delays in the area.
