he CHP shut down the roadway in both directions between North First Street and Zanker Road in San Jose after the fire was reported at 1:34 p.m.
The San Jose City Fire Department and the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety's fire bureau had put out one fire and were still working on several others as of 3:15 p.m., San Jose fire Capt. Cleo Doss said.
A mixture of brush, trees, grass and organic ground covering on the edge of westbound Highway 237 somehow ignited in several spots, creating "a lot smoke due to the winds," Doss said.
Parts of the ground covering, which is about 6 to 12 inches deep, are still smoldering, Doss said.
The San Jose Police Department closed the on-ramp from Zanker Road to Highway 237 at 2:27 p.m., according to the CHP.
