Crime & Safety

Fire Allegedly Started by Caltrans Flare Stopped Before Reaching Homes

The fire was started by a road flare that blew off the freeway, officials said.

A fire sparked by Caltrans crews was stopped before reaching nearby homes in Hercules Wednesday, officials said. 

The fire, near westbound I-80 and Highway 4, was caused around noon when a Caltrans road flare blew off the roadway, according to the Contra Costa County Fire District.

The strong winds made matters more difficult for firefighters, who also responded to the nearby Village Parkway neighborhood to make sure the blaze didn't spread there.

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In the end, only some roadway signs and guardrail posts were damaged by the fire, a press release from the Contra Costa County Fire District said.

The full press release follows:

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Engine 69 responded to a reported vegetation fire adjacent to Freeway 80 in Hercules. Two additional Engines and a Battalion Chief were added to this response when reports were received that structures were threatened. Upon arrival, Engine 69 reported ½ acre of grass burning on a steep hillside driven by gusty winds.

Firefighters attacked the fire with hose lays on both flanks while an additional Engine and Battalion Chief responded to the Village Parkway neighborhood to protect structures. Firefighters were able to contain the fire prior to it spreading to any of the homes.

Hercules Police Officers assisted by warning homeowners and checking backyards.

Damage was limited to some roadway signs and guard rail posts. The fire was caused when a road flare being used for traffic control by Cal Trans crews blew off the freeway. Cal Trans officials were admonished regarding their practices and advised to discontinue the use of road flares without the proper safety precautions.

This incident and another earlier this week in Pittsburg show that the wildland fuels are already flammable due to the recent high winds and lack of rain.

Battalion 7 Firefighters remind the Public to use caution and provide a defensible space around all structures of at least 100 feet.

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