The fire, which started at Highways 41 and 145, raced across the dry grassland. At one point it threatened homes in "Sumner Hill Estates," near the San Joaquin River.
Fire officials claim the fire was sparked by a car driving northbound.
Investigators said it took 190 firefighters to take down the fire because winds quickly spread the flames. "Within just the first units arriving on scene 200 to 300 acres had burned already," said Don Stein with Cal Fire.
Four air tankers battled the blaze from above. Several upscale homes in the area were threatened for a short time but damages were limited to grape vineyards exposed to heavy smoke.
