Freeway briefly shuts down in Sacramento as firefighters battle grass fire on American River

A brush fire burning Sunday afternoon along the American River Parkway briefly shut down a Sacramento freeway near Cal Expo because of heavy smoke, authorities said.

Caltrans District 3 officials and the California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert for the Capital City Freeway portion near Exposition Boulevard just before 4:30 p.m. due to smoke from the fire, which was at least one acre in size, according to Capt. Justin Sylvia, a spokesman for the Sacramento Fire Department.

The fire, which sparked around 3:50 p.m., ignited several yards downstream near Tribute Road was burning in dry grass and a marsh area. Smoke from the fire was pronounced on the freeway’s southbound lanes as it crosses over the river.

The freeway reopened to traffic, according to the CHP, around 5:15 p.m.

The cause of the fire was under investigation, Sylvia said.