4-alarm grass fire in Fairfield extinguished; Highway 12 re-opens

FAIRFIELD, Calif. (BCN) - FAIRFIELD (BCN)-- A four-alarm grassfire that broke out along state Highway 12 in Fairfield this evening, halting traffic and prompting some evacuations, has been extinguished, according to police officials.

No injuries were reported and no structures were damaged during the blaze, which was first reported at 5:04 p.m. on a portion of grass along Highway 12, west of Pennsylvania Avenue, police Sgt. Jeff Osgood said.

Firefighters remain on scene performing mop-up operations.

The fire, fueled by wind and grass, initially threatened the backyard fences of some homes on James Street and the Fairfield Vista Apartments, located at 201 Pennsylvania Avenue, police said.

The complex was evacuated.

Pennsylvania Avenue between Highway 12 and Woolner Avenue was closed, as well as the westbound lanes of Highway 12 between Pennsylvania Avenue and Beck Avenue.

All roads, including the highway have been reopened, according to police.

The closures had caused heavy congestion in the area.

The grassfire is the second one to occur today in Fairfield.

Earlier this afternoon, at about 2:22 p.m., fire officials reported a seven-acre, three-alarm grassfire in the area of Suisun Valley

Road and Business Center Drive, just north of Interstate Highway 80.

No structures were threatened and there are no injuries reported in that grassfire, fire officials said.