Construction Work Sparked Fire Near Alameda County Fairgrounds

Pleasanton, CA— Construction work sparked a small grass fire near the Alameda County Fairgrounds Wednesday afternoon, Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Battalion Chief Aaron Lacey said.

Livermore-Pleasanton firefighters were able to quickly contain the fire, which was reported in the area of Bernal and Valley avenues just before 3 p.m. Fairgoers inside the fairgrounds reported seeing the smoke outside the fair property.

Lacey said someone using a torch to cut poles in the ongoing construction and landscaping project area at the new Bernal park accidentally started the fire.

"Bernal Ave. was shut down for about 30 minutes, due to excessive smoke," Lacey said. "The fire burned about one acre and there was close to no damage."

Alameda County Fire crews assisted with the firefighting efforts. No one was injured during the fire.

It was a busy day for firefighters in Tri-Valley on Wednesday. Earlier in the day, fire crews worked to contain a brush fire near the I-580 in Livermore. The cause of that fire is under investigation, but fire officials suspect it may have started at a nearby homeless encampment.

See Also:

• Livermore Brush Fire Burned 2 Acres Near I-580

Photos 1, 2 taken from inside the Alameda County Fair courtesy Michelle Clowser.

Photos 3, 4 courtesy Livermore-Pleasanton Fire BC