Vegetation fires closed Interstate 80 and evacuations in Vallejo and Crockett

Hundreds of residents in Vallejo and Crockett have been asked to evacuate after a fast-moving wildfire broke out Sunday morning and jumped Interstate 80 and the Carquinez Strait.

Vallejo officials said one of the major brush fires is burning in South Vallejo near California State Maritime Academy and Glen Cove east of the I-80 toll plaza.

The fires, reported around 9 a.m. Sunday, are burning in the hills near the California State University Maritime Academy after jumping the freeway. The California Highway Patrol has shut down both sides of I-80 as fire crews fight the blaze.

“Residents south of Pomona Street, west of Crockett Blvd and east of Highway 80 should evacuate now,” the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District said through their community warning system.

As firefighters work to contain the blaze, I-80 has been shut down from California State Route 4 near Hercules to Interstate 780 in Vallejo. Cummings Skyway has also been closed at Crockett Blvd, according to California Highway Patrol.

The rest of Crockett is under an evacuation warning, which means residents aren't obligated to leave right now, but they should be ready to go at a moment's notice should conditions change.

The blaze has burned about 55 acres according to city officials and evacuations are in effect in the following Vallejo neighborhoods:

- Maritime Academy
- Navone and Pablo
- Jordan and Swanzy
- Waterview Terrace and Bayside Terrace

High winds are spreading fire embers as gusts are blowing hard throughout the Bay Area. Sustained winds of 15 to 20 mph with isolated gusts up to 50 mph are forecast for the bay shoreline, including in San Francisco and Oakland.

Residents who are fleeing Crockett can seek refuge at the county’s evacuation center, located at the Hercules Swim Center at 2001 Refugio Valley Road in Hercules, according to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.

The evacuation center for Crockett residents is located at the Hercules Swim Center at 2001 Refugio Valley Road in Hercules, according to officials.