Crews Battle Brush Fire In Rodeo Area

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A wildfire that broke out Monday afternoon in the Rodeo / Crockett area of Contra Costa County ballooned to around 150 acres as of 4:40 p.m.

The blaze dubbed the California Fire was burning east of Interstate Highway 80 between Highway 4 and Cummings Skyway but as of 4:40 p.m., forward progress was stopped and the fire was 50 percent contained, according to Cal Fire.

Flames were reported just before 2 p.m. near eastbound I-80, just west of Cummings Skyway, according to CHP dispatchers.

A Sig-alert was issued at 2:22 p.m. for eastbound I-80, where the no. 4 lane was closed between Willow Avenue and Cummings because of the fire.

At 4 p.m., the closure of Cummings Skyway between state Highway 4 and I-80 was ordered.

Joe Ottolini, a fire prevention captain with Con Fire, said crews were facing light fuels and moderate winds in the fire burning east of I-80.

The California Fire was burning south of the refinery and not far from the east-side tank farm, Ottolini said.

Crews were able to construct a perimeter around the tanks, Ottolini told Patch.

Firefighters from Rodeo-Hercules, Con Fire and Cal Fire were among those battling the blaze, with aerial support from Cal Fire.

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