Traffic & Transit

Brush Fire Closes Highway 37 Near Skaggs Island Road

A Sig-alert was issued for eastbound SR-37, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A fire forced the closure of eastbound State Route 37, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019.
A fire forced the closure of eastbound State Route 37, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019. (Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone)

NORTH BAY, CA — A Sig-alert for eastbound state Highway 37 — Sears Point Road — was lifted at 2:59 p.m. Thursday following a brush fire near Skaggs Island Road in Sonoma County, according to the California Highway Patrol.

During the Sig-alert, which was issued at 1:52 p.m, traffic was diverted from eastbound SR-37 to northbound state Highway 121 — resulting in "significant" traffic delays, CHP reported.

The fire was first reported at 1:18 p.m. Thursday on the right shoulder of eastbound SR-37, just west of Skaggs Island Road, according to CHP dispatch reports.

Find out what's happening in Sonoma Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

One caller reported seeing a telephone pole catch fire.

Westbound SR-37 remained open, according to the CHP.

Find out what's happening in Sonoma Valleyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The Schell-Vista Fire Protection District responded to the fire, which did not immediately appear to be threatening any structures, according to the CHP.

The fire was under control by 2:48 p.m. although there was still some smoke lingering in the area.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.