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A vegetation fire burning in a rural area of western San Mateo County has consumed about 20 acres Tuesday afternoon, according to Cal Fire, and is affecting air quality in parts of San Mateo County.
The fire was first reported at about 1:45 p.m. near Seaside School Road in the unincorporated community of San Gregorio.
As of 3 p.m., it had grown to roughly 20 acres and forward progress had been stopped, according to Cal Fire, which dubbed it the School Fire. The fire is not located near a school.
While forward progress has stopped, air quality in areas of San Mateo County may be impacted. Purple Air reports that some air quality monitors in Portola Valley and Sky Londa are reading over 100 AQI, which is unhealthy for sensitive groups. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends sensitive groups, which includes people with heart and lung disease, older adults, children, people with diabetes and people of lower socio-economic status, avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
In San Gregorio, the air quality is as bad as 186 AQI, which is considered unhealthy and may affect the general population.
One building was threatened but none were destroyed.
Coastside Fire, San Mateo County Fire and Cal Fire led the effort to contain the grass fire. Cal Fire crews from Monterey and Ben Lomond assisted in addition to volunteers from La Honda Fire and Kings Mountain Fire. Three Cal Fire air tankers and one helicopter provided aerial support.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
This story was updated with additional information from Cal Fire.
