Raging San Jose Vegetation Fire: Evacuations, Road Closures & Live Updates

SAN JOSE, Calif. — A fast-moving vegetation fire charred roughly 19 acres along the 3100 block of Locke Drive Tuesday afternoon, sending plumes of smoke over south San Jose and briefly threatening homes near Los Lagos Golf Course and Andrew P. Hill High School. Fire crews say the alarm sounded at 3:14 p.m. and the incident was quickly upgraded to a Tier 2 response as flames raced through light, dry grass under gusty, 10-15 mph winds. Forty-five firefighters, backed by air support and bulldozers, stopped the forward progress by 4:30 p.m., protecting several outbuildings on Locke Drive and averting any injuries. Key details • Size & location: 19.2 acres burned on city-owned open space east of Highway 101, just south of San Jose Mineta International Airport. • Evacuations & closures: No mandatory evacuations; brief shelter-in-place issued for nearby neighborhoods and Andrew P. Hill High School. • Containment: 100 % contained by 5:48 p.m.; crews monitored hot spots until 7 p.m. • Cause: Under investigation, but officials say no PG&E equipment faults were detected. Why it matters The Locke Drive blaze is San Jose’s largest fire so far this year and underscores how quickly “flashy fuels” can ignite after only a few dry, windy days. Santa Clara County remains in Moderate Drought, and the National Weather Service says a warming trend with afternoon breezes will elevate fire danger through Thursday. What’s next • Investigators will canvass for ignition sources; early witness reports mention illegal fireworks. • SJFD plans additional patrols along Coyote Creek and Los Lagos to deter overnight camping fires. • Residents south of Yerba Buena Road are urged to create 100 feet of defensible space and keep grass cut below four inches ahead of peak wildfire season. How to stay safe 1. Sign up for Alert SCC and SJFD PulsePoint notifications. 2. Have a “Go Bag” with N95 masks; smoke can drift rapidly in the Coyote Valley corridor. 3. Report any smoke or fireworks immediately to 911; early calls were critical in Tuesday’s quick knockdown, officials said. With Northern California’s rainy season ending weeks early, experts warn that even small grass fires can transition into destructive wildfires. “This is a wake-up call for the valley,” Deputy Chief Aaron Freyler said at the scene. “Expect more days like today until we see significant moisture.” Residents can find updated road closures, air-quality advisories and recovery resources at sjfd.org/fire-updates.