Petersen Fire Burns 300 Acres Near Highway 12 In Solano County

SOLANO COUNTY, CA — A vegetation that fire broke out Monday afternoon east of Suisun City along state Highway 12 charred 300 acres but was kept from entering residential areas and a nearby landfill.

The Petersen Fire was reported just before 2 p.m. in the area of Walters and Petersen roads, near eastbound state Highway 12 and Scally Lane, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Wildfire cameras showed a huge plume of smoke rising from the Petersen Fire.

The fire was burning outside the Travis Air Force Base South Gate, and firefighters from the base were sent to help the Suisun City Fire Department, base officials said.

Highway 12 was closed at Walters Road because of the fire, according to Suisun City police, but was reopened as of 4:15 p.m.

The blaze was believed to be started by a cigarette someone tossed into dry brush along Petersen Road, Suisun City fire Chief Justin Vincent told reporters.

Vincent told Bay City News Service that five acres had already burned when firefighters responded.

By 4:30 p.m., the blaze reached 300 acres.

"We do have the upper hand at this time, but we still have some active firefighting occurring," Vincent said.

The blaze had a "rapid rate of speed" when firefighters arrived, Vincent said, and was being pushed by sustained 30 mph winds.

A Contra Costa County Fire Protection District helicopter was called in and continues to drop water on the fire.

As it grew, the fire, which is off Petersen Road, jumped Highway 12 and forced the closure of both lanes. Reduced visibility due to smoke caused one minor vehicle accident, Vincent said; no injuries were reported.

Firefighters had to help about 10 other vehicles to move to safety as well.

The flames, which ended up burning mostly agricultural land in unincorporated Solano County, came within three-eighths of a mile of the Lawler Ranch neighborhood of Suisun City, Vincent said.

Vincent said that agencies from around Solano County responded including a special strike team including firefighters from Benicia, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Vacaville and an inmate firefighting unit.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.