Edgewood Blaze Rages: Wildfire Shuts Down I-280, Engulfs San Mateo County

A sudden, intense four-alarm wildfire, now known as the Edgewood Fire, erupted with alarming speed in San Mateo County on Tuesday afternoon, sending plumes of smoke billowing across the sky and forcing the closure of vital transportation arteries. The blaze, which ignited in the pristine Edgewood County Park and Preserve, west of Interstate 280 near the junction of Canada Road and Edgewood Road, quickly became a critical incident, demanding an immediate and massive response from firefighting agencies across the region.

Igniting around 2:30 p.m., the fire rapidly consumed dry vegetation, growing to an estimated 20-25 acres within hours.

The escalating danger led to a 4-alarm declaration, triggering a full-scale assault from ground crews and an aerial armada including helicopters and air tankers. Their combined efforts were crucial in battling the inferno, which threatened to spread further into nearby communities and sensitive ecological areas.

The immediate consequences for commuters were severe.

Both northbound lanes of Interstate 280, a major artery connecting the Peninsula, were shut down between Highway 92 and Edgewood Road. Two southbound lanes were also closed, creating significant traffic snarls and rerouting chaos for thousands of drivers. Caltrain services also felt the ripple effect, operating under "slow orders" through the affected region as a precautionary measure, leading to inevitable delays for passengers.

As smoke filled the air, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued an air quality advisory, warning residents about elevated particulate matter and urging sensitive individuals to take precautions.

The fire also led to power outages for hundreds of PG&E customers in the area, adding another layer of disruption to the communities of Redwood City and Emerald Hills. Voluntary evacuations were advised for some residents in specific zones as a safety measure, highlighting the very real threat posed by the unpredictable blaze.

Throughout the night and into Wednesday morning, hundreds of dedicated firefighters from numerous agencies worked tirelessly.

Their relentless efforts, including establishing crucial containment lines, began to yield results. By early Wednesday, reports indicated that the fire's containment had significantly improved, reaching 85 percent. While the immediate threat receded, the cause of the Edgewood Fire remains under active investigation, a stark reminder of the ever-present danger of wildfires in our dry landscapes.

The community now looks to recovery and understanding, even as the smoke clears and the scale of the effort becomes fully apparent.