Cal Fire Battles 80-Acre Pass Fire Near Altamont Pass

Cal Fire crews battled the Pass Fire near Altamont Pass Road in Livermore on Sunday afternoon after the vegetation fire grew to 80 acres. California Highway Patrol closed Altamont Pass Road between Carroll and Grant Line Road as crews worked the fire about 7.5 miles northeast of Livermore.

Altamont Pass Road Closure

Firefighters from CAL FIRE's Santa Clara Unit responded just after noon, when the blaze had scorched less than 5 acres. By 1:30 p.m., crews stopped forward progress, and CAL FIRE said the fire was about 30% contained around 2 p.m. A CAL FIRE helicopter and ground crews from the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department joined the attack.

The closure affected a mountainous east-west route that runs just north of Interstate Highway 580, adding delays on a corridor used to move between Livermore and the Mountain House and Tracy area. CAL FIRE said firefighters would keep strengthening containment lines and putting out hot spots through the day.

Red Flag Warning

The fire burned during a Red Flag Warning that ran from Saturday through Monday. The National Weather Service said forecast conditions included low humidity and winds between 20 and 30 mph. PG&E also warned of possible Public Safety Power Shutoffs because of the wildfire risk.

Pockets of dozens of PG&E customers in the Pass Fire area were without power because of preemptive shutoffs, and some customers in Solano County and eastern Napa County were also without electricity for the same reason. For drivers on Altamont Pass Road, the immediate issue was the closure between Carroll and Grant Line Road while crews worked to hold the fire and clear hot spots.