Vegetation fires spark in East Bay

A vegetation fire broke out Tuesday afternoon in Benicia, bringing traffic on a nearby highway to a standstill.

The Benicia Fire Department reported around 3 p.m. that the blaze was burning behind Camel Road.

The fire started near southbound Interstate 680, where all lanes were blocked.

Fire officials said the blaze was initially a two-alarm, but upgraded to a third-alarm after flames spread to the center divide at the Interstate 780 and Interstate 680 split.

The fire was brought under control around 3:35 p.m., but crews remained on scene to mop up.

Sunol Fire

In Alameda County, firefighters are working to put out a brush fire burning in Sunol. As of 4:30 p.m., the fire was estimated at 3-acres. 

Fire officials say the blaze has a "moderate rate of spread."

It's unclear how the fire started.

The Source: Benicia Fire Department, 511 SF Bay

BeniciaBay Area wildfires