Updated Sunday, Oct. 27 at 12:10 p.m.
A small wildfire broke out Sunday morning near Vallejo with flames coming dangerously close to homes and forcing a college to evacuate. The fire forced Interstate 80 to close in both directions as the freeway became shrouded in thick smoke.
The fire appears to have spread from one that started earlier in the morning across the Carquinez Strait near the Carquinez Bridge toll plaza in Vallejo.
The fire jumped the freeway around 9:30 a.m. and is burning toward the California State University Maritime Academy, which has been ordered to evacuate.
The California Highway Patrol is diverting traffic to Interstate Highway 780.
John Upton on Twitter The #GlencoveFire in Vallejo, seen from Amtrak’s San Joaquins Train. The warm, dry, windy conditions around the Bay Area today are baleful. Fires are destroying homes and wineries and triggering evacuations amid mass blackouts. https://t.co/DYA8pvS4ml
The fire was reported shortly after 9 a.m. in the Glen Cove area. The Vallejo Firefighters Association reported crews were battling two fires in the area by 9:20 a.m.
An evacuation center at the Hercules Swim Center at 2001 Refugio Valley Rd. has been established for Crockett residents, who have been told to evacuate.
CHP – Contra Costa on Twitter I-80 CLOSURE DUE TO FIRE between Hwy-4 & I-780 in Vallejo, including the Carquinez bridge as well, due to the Glen Cove fire in Vallejo. Unknown opening time. I-80 e/b traffic is being diverted to Hwy-4 e/b towards Martinez. Cummings Skyway is also closed at Crockett Blvd.
“Residents south of Pomona Street, west of Crockett Blvd and east of Highway 80 should evacuate now,” the Contra Costa Fire Protection District.
Evacuees are advised to take only essential items that they have ready and to lock their homes. Pets should be on a leash or in a cage. The department said those physically unable to leave your home unassisted should call 911 immediately, but otherwise asked the community to stay off telephones unless there is a life-threatening emergency.
Information from The Associated Press and Bay City News Service was used in this story.
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