A grass fire near the intersection of Taylor Road and Highway 99 backed up traffic in the Monte Vista Crossings area Wednesday afternoon.
The one-acre grass fire was ignited by sparks from the wheel of a passing train, the Turlock Fire Department said.
Turlock police report that the fire caused a mechanical failure in railroad signals at the Taylor Road, Monte Vista Avenue, and Tuolumne Road crossings. All roads were subsequently closed to east-west traffic, with officers on-site directing traffic. All crossings now appear to be opened.
Fulkerth Road and Main Street remained open to east-west traffic throughout the incident.
Engines from the Turlock, Keyes and Ceres Fire Departments responded to the fire. The Turlock Rural Fire Department supplied a water tender.
Photo: Alex Cantatore
