By Khalida Sarwari and Jason Green
By A wind-driven grass fire ignited in Concord near the Walnut Creek border on Friday afternoon, prompting the evacuation of several homes, authorities said.
After several hours, residents were allowed back into their homes by 10:30 p.m.
Reported about 3:40 p.m. at Ygnacio Valley and Cowell roads, the blaze had burned 268 acres in and around the Lime Ridge open space area and was 85 percent contained as of 9:45 p.m., according to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.
There were no immediate reports of any damage, but two firefighters suffered minor burn injuries, said fire district spokesman Robert Marshall.
Marshall said there was no estimated time for full containment. Although the fire was no longer making any forward progress, vegetation at the center of the affected area was still burning.
Cal Fire Deputy Chief Scott McLean said 12 mph winds made the blaze challenging to fight.
“It’s moving pretty quick and it’s wind-driven,” said fire district spokesman Ryan Bain in the opening hours of the fire.
A backfiring and smoking vehicle sparked the blaze as it traveled eastbound on Ygnacio Valley Road, Marshall said.
“We’re confident the fire was accidentally started as a result of that vehicle,” he said.
Several homes along Crystyl Ranch Drive were evacuated about 4 p.m., according to Bain, and residents in the nearby Montecito neighborhood also reported evacuations. An emergency shelter was set up at Centre Concord at 5298 Clayton Road in Concord.
A shelter-in-place order was issued about 5 p.m. for parts of Walnut Creek and Concord near the fire. Authorities also temporarily closed Ygnacio Valley Road at Oak Grove Road.
Smoke from the fire was visible from the Oakland hills as afternoon gave way to evening.
“There is a lot of smoke being put up,” Bain said, “but at this point I think we’re gaining ground on it.”
Elsewhere Friday, firefighters were battling a 60-acre fire near Tesla and Reuss roads in Livermore. Cal Fire reported that the blaze was 50 percent contained as of about 9 p.m.
Check back for updates.
