Castro Valley Car Fire Sparks 18-Acre Vegetation Blaze

A car fire on westbound Interstate 580 near Eden Canyon Road in Castro Valley on Sunday evening sparked a vegetation fire that ultimately spread to just over 18 acres. The incident began after 5 p.m. when an SUV caught fire, which then ignited nearby grasslands; fortunately, the sole vehicle occupant escaped uninjured. Firefighters from Alameda County, Cal Fire, and East Bay Regional Park District responded swiftly, using air resources to contain the blaze. Despite the fire's potential to reach structures and grow to 100 acres, no buildings were damaged and crews held the fire at 18.37 acres by 7:45 p.m. Portions of I-580's westbound lanes were temporarily closed during the response. Authorities continue to monitor the area for any changes.