San Jose: Traffic Alert Lifted After Fire At I-280 Interchange

SAN JOSE — Firefighters quickly knocked down a single-alarm brush fire Sunday near Highway 87 at the Interstate 280 interchange, authorities said.

Just before 2 p.m., California Highway Patrol officers learned of smoke and flames seen near the right-hand side of southbound Highway 87 lanes at the interchange.

Officers worked to close nearby on-ramps onto the highway, while San Jose Fire Department firefighters dispatched to the fire at 2:05 p.m. responded to the scene with only a minor delay due to multiple calls reporting the fire at different locations.

Sixteen firefighters managed to put out the fire, which had erupted from an acre-wide mulch-covered area near a gore point, and a CalTrans crew was summoned to help clear out the area to prevent smoldering and re-lighting.

The CHP issued a Sig-alert at 2:46 p.m., blocking the Nos. 2 and 3 lanes. All lanes were reopened by 4:30 p.m., a CHP officer said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or a cause.