Evacuations Ordered as Wildfire Rages Near Pleasanton, California

Smoke from the Little Fire may worsen air quality in the Bay Area as officials advise residents to limit outdoor activity.

Rudy Blalock

Published: 7/22/2026, 4:02:52 AM EDT

Evacuations Ordered as Wildfire Rages Near Pleasanton, California — An air tanker drops retardant in a file photo. (Ethan Swope/AP Photo)

A wildfire burning near Pleasanton has scorched 950 acres and is only 10 percent contained, prompting evacuation orders across six zones and injuring one firefighter, according to Cal Fire's incident report.

The blaze, named the Little Fire, ignited at 3:39 p.m. Tuesday.

The fire is burning in Alameda County near Vallecitos Road and Little Valley Road in Sunol.

Its cause remains under investigation. Unified command over the response is being handled jointly by the CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit and the Alameda County Fire Department.

Cal Fire's damage assessment confirmed one firefighter injury tied to the incident, along with confirmed property damage. Separately, local media reported that a Cal Fire fire engine overturned near Ruby Hills Drive while crews were responding to the fire.

Evacuations

Evacuation orders remain active for zones ALC-072, PLS-079, PLS-080, PLS-081, PLS-082 and PLS-103.

Cal Fire describes the orders as posing an immediate threat to life, stating the directive is "a lawful order to LEAVE NOW," and that affected areas are "lawfully closed to public access," according to the agency.

Residents can find continuing updates through Cal Fire's status reports page.

Air Quality Concerns

Wildfire smoke from the blaze could add to regional air quality concerns, as the Bay Area Air Quality Management District has warned that California's wildfire season, typically running from spring through late fall, has increasingly pushed dense smoke into the region in recent years, the district said in a recent update.

The district advises residents to monitor local news and health warnings and to avoid outdoor physical activity, including keeping children indoors, when conditions appear smoky.

The Air District recommends households prepare by sealing leaky windows and doors, installing HEPA air purifiers or upgrading HVAC filters to MERV 13 or higher, and identifying nearby cleaner-air locations such as libraries, malls or community centers.

Vulnerable groups—including children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with respiratory or heart conditions—face heightened risk from elevated particulate pollution and should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion.

The district cautions that during fires, residents should stay indoors with windows and doors closed, set air conditioning and vehicle vents to recirculate, and avoid activities like wood burning or lawn mowing that add to pollution.

Officials also note that surgical masks and bandanas offer little protection against wildfire smoke particles, and that properly fitted N95 masks—which are not currently approved for children—are recommended only for those who must remain outdoors for extended periods.

Residents can track current air quality conditions through the AirNow website.