A firefighter was taken to the hospital following a rollover accident involving a fire engine as crews battled the rapidly spreading Little Fire in the Pleasanton hills of Alameda County. The firefighter, who was injured during the incident, has since been released and was reported to be in good spirits.
The blaze, which ignited around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, consumed over 1,007 acres and prompted evacuations for nearby residents. Flames came within feet of some homes, though no structures had been lost as of Wednesday morning. CAL FIRE reported the wildfire was 40% contained by Wednesday morning after crews worked through the night to halt its advance.
Mandatory evacuation orders near the Ruby Hill neighborhood, the last major residential area affected, were downgraded to an advisory overnight. Officials credited defensible space around homes for playing a significant role in protecting properties from the encroaching fire.
Efforts to combat the fire included a substantial aerial assault, with three helicopters dropping water and five air tankers deploying fire retardant. Ground crews, consisting of dozens of personnel, navigated steep ridges and difficult terrain to attack the fire.
The cause of the Little Fire is currently under investigation. Witness accounts suggested construction activity near Little Valley Road, an area investigators are focusing on, but officials have not yet determined the origin of the wildfire.