Update: Weed Whacker Sparks Caused Hayward Hills Grass Fire

Update: 9:33 p.m.

Bay City News Service — A five-acre grass fire just south of Stonebrae Golf and Country Club in the Hayward hills Tuesday afternoon was caused entirely by accident, according to Hayward fire Capt. Thor Poulsen.

Metal equipment used by country club workers to weed-whack the hillside gave off some sparks that caused the blaze, Poulsen said. He said the workers attempted but were unable to extinguish the fire in time, and reported it at 2 p.m.

The fire, which took place not far from Garin Regional Park, was contained by 3:19 p.m. and is now out, according to Poulsen. 

The slope of the hill allowed the fire to spread quickly, as did the increasingly strong winds, which kicked up to 10 to 15 mph as the afternoon wore on, Poulsen said.

Helicopters were brought in to dump water on the fire Tuesday afternoon and bulldozers and hand crews remained at the scene to search for remaining hot spots.

Smoke coming from the hillside could be seen by Union City residents along Mission Boulevard.

Alameda County firefighters, including two crews from Union City, helped provide assistance, according to Aisha Knowles of the Alameda County Fire Department.

No homes were threatened by the fire and no injuries have been reported.

There was some fear that the flames would spread southeast, toward Union City homes, but firefighters contained the blaze in time, Poulsen said.