Car fire starts grass fire near Alum Rock Park

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- Fire crews put out a grass fire that broke out in the East San Jose foothills Tuesday afternoon. The fire was started by a car that was burning on Sierra Road, near Alum Rock Park.

The fire was burning in a ravine just beyond the summit of Sierra Road in. The brush there is very dry and that's why so many fire agencies responded.

CAL FIRE, San Jose Fire Department and Department of Corrections inmate firefighters were there battling the flames, but the major suppression came from fire retardant drops from the CAL FIRE helicopter. The aerial attack was able to stop the flames and prevent them from spreading.

A CHP officer on the scene reported that the fire probably started when a small passenger vehicle caught fire on Sierra Road.

A CAL FIRE captain told ABC7 News, "There was a vehicle that lost control and went off the side of the road, approximately 20-30 feet off the embankment and ended up catching the brush on fire. And that's what started the spread down the hill, driven by the wind."

There is about 1,500 acres of open space up there owned by the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. There are hiking trails dotting the ridge and the area is open to the public.

The area is just north of Alum Rock County Park and it's about to become an even more popular spot next month when a new trail head is dedicated, along with a new parking lot. Firefighters are urging the public to use extreme caution while visiting the area since the brush is so dry.

San Jose Fire Department estimates 10 to 15 acres burned.