A vegetation fire located off Interstate 80 at Bowman Road has burned about a half-acre of land as of Friday afternoon, according to early estimates from emergency personnel.

Jennifer Hutchins, communications operator for Cal Fire, said Friday afternoon that crews were still trying to determine the size of the fire.

“They’re still working on pickup spots but it sounds like they’re getting the upper hand,” Hutchins said. “We’re releasing aircraft (from the scene).”

Smoke was visible from the road about at 2:20 p.m. and crews were still on scene about an hour later.

Hutchins said about nine engines, two water tenders, a dozer and two hand crews were at the incident at about 3:30 p.m.

The grass fire was reported to be on the right hand side of the freeway, according to a California Highway Patrol online incident report.

Traffic was reportedly slow in eastbound lanes and train traffic was also stopped as crews put out the flames.

~ Jenifer Gee