CHICO >> The flames reached more than 10 feet into the sky around 12:45 p.m. on Sunday, but firefighters stopped a blaze near the East 20th Street overpass at less than one-half acre.
The fire started in brush between the southbound Highway 99 on-ramp and the southbound lanes of the highway.
Chico Fire Department Capt. Ray Silverman said the fire may have been sparked at a homeless encampment, but firefighters were still investigating the cause.
Firefighters were able to use foam, which looks like soapy water to fight the flames. The foam soaks into materials like wood better than water, allowing firefighters to use about 1/3 less liquid than if they just used water, Silverman said.
Traffic on the overpass was diverted onto Highway 99 for about 20 minutes as firefighters from Cal Fire-Butte County and the Chico Fire Department worked to extinguish any signs of flames.