SUNOL, California – A fast-moving, wind-driven wildfire known as the "Little Fire" erupted Wednesday afternoon, July 22, 2026, in the unincorporated community of Sunol in Alameda County, rapidly expanding from an initial estimate of about 25 acres to more than 1,000 acres within hours. The blaze started on private land near the intersection of Vallecitos Road and Little Valley Road at approximately 3:43 p.m. PDT, according to CAL FIRE, and quickly intensified as it burned through dry, flashy fuels on steep terrain under gusty wind conditions and extreme heat. By 9:53 p.m. PDT, officials with CAL FIRE’s Santa Clara Unit and the Alameda County Fire Department, operating under a unified command, reported that the fire had grown to 1,007 acres and was just 10% contained. The rapid spread of the flames posed an immediate threat to nearby residential structures and high-voltage powerlines, prompting the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office to issue mandatory evacuation orders for zones PLS-080, PLS-081, PLS-103, and ALC-072. Authorities used the Genasys Protect platform to push real-time evacuation maps and alerts, directing residents to move to areas north of the fire’s perimeter. To protect homes and critical infrastructure, unified command deployed a large contingent of resources, including ground crews, fire engines, bulldozers, and water tenders from CAL FIRE, the Alameda County Fire Department, and the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department, as part of a massive emergency response effort that continued into the night.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.