Little Fire erupts near Sunol Ridge, scorching more than 1,000 acres

On a typical Tuesday afternoon in late July 2026, a spark—or something else entirely—ignited what would quickly become known as the Little Fire on Sunol Ridge, just west of Pleasanton. At about 2:40 p.m., flames leapt across dry brush, turning a quiet stretch of hillside into an urgent scene for Cal Fire crews.

Within hours the inferno had swallowed roughly 1,007 acres, sending plumes of smoke that drifted over the East Bay. Residents of the Ruby Hill neighborhood and along Vineyard Avenue watched nervously as the orange glow rose against the sky. Cal Fire battalion chief Raúl Medina, who was on the ground, said the cause was still a mystery, adding that investigators were combing through the area for clues.

As the fire surged, officials issued evacuation orders for several zones. The most critical—designated PLS‑081 and PLS‑103—were placed under mandatory evacuation at 5 a.m. the next morning. Earlier that night, a handful of other zones (PLS‑080, ALC‑072, PLS‑079, PLS‑082) were lifted around 11:30 p.m., giving a sigh of relief to families who had huddled in temporary shelters.

By 7 a.m. Wednesday, firefighters had managed to contain about 40 % of the blaze. The containment push was aided by favorable winds and a concerted effort from multiple fire crews, although the terrain remained treacherous. No homes or other structures were reported damaged, a small mercy in the otherwise harsh landscape.

The fire did claim a minor injury: a Cal Fire firefighter was treated after his engine rolled over during the night‑time push. He was released from the hospital later that day, and the incident didn’t slow the overall attack on the fire.

Cal Fire continues to monitor the situation, and residents are urged to stay alert for updates, especially if smoke starts to infiltrate their homes. Those with photos or video of the fire can contribute via KRON‑4’s “Report‑it” portal, helping authorities piece together a clearer picture of what sparked the Little Fire.

For now, the focus is on complete containment and a safe return for the displaced families. The Sunol community, accustomed to California’s fire season, hopes the worst is behind them, but the lingering ash and the scent of burnt brush will remind everyone that the fire season is far from over.