The Benicia Fire Department was one of several agencies helping to contain a four-alarm vegetation fire that broke out in Vallejo’s Glen Cove neighborhood on Thursday afternoon.

At around 12:45 p.m., Vallejo’s Communications Center received reports of a vehicle that had become engulfed in flames on Eastbound Interstate 80 just west of Sonoma Boulevard. The fire from the vehicle rapidly reached nearby vegetation and climbed the hillside into Glen Cove, according to a city news release.

The fire ending up inundating approximately 40 acres and having a minimal impact to the exteriors of four homes on the 100 block of Barington Drive at Bathurst Drive. Affected residents were advised to meet with Red Cross agents in the parking lot of Joseph H. Wardlaw Elementary School on Oakwood Avenue, according to the release.

“One household requested assistance from the Red Cross,” Joanna Altman, the assistant to Vallejo’s city manager, said. “Representatives served food to residents in the neighborhood.”

Additionally, the city recommended that residents shelter in place and turn off air conditioning units until the smoke receded. The shelter notice was lifted that evening.

The city of Vallejo activated its Emergency Operations Center after the fire broke out, but it was deactivated by the end of the day.

The Benicia Fire Department helped to diminish the fire by providing fire engines and a water tender and deploying an on-site division officer. Although Benicia residents were able to smell smoke that had drifted into the area, the Benicia Police Department advised residents on its Facebook page to not contact the Fire Department or dispatch center unless they saw flames or evidence of fire in their immediate area.

Vallejo also received support from Cal Fire and the cities of Fairfield, Cordelia, Vacaville, Crockett and American Canyon, who provided strike team crews, dozers, hand crews, air attack and full wild land response. Contra Costa County Fire, Napa County Fire, U.S. Air Force Fire and the U.S. Coast Guard also responded, according to Altman.

By 4:30 p.m. Thursday, the fire was completely contained.

“The city is appreciative of the support and actions taken by its residents – neighbors helping neighbors and a collaborative response,” Altman said.

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