Crews extinguish 15-acre fire, save nearby structures

A fast-moving wildfire that burned about 15 acres in Walnut Creek Tuesday afternoon has been knocked down without any damage to nearby structures, according to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. The fire was reported at about 2:15 p.m. and Walnut Creek police said it was causing a traffic backup on Ygnacio Valley Road at Marchbanks Drive.

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District spokesman Steve Hill said several structures were threatened by the fire so a second alarm was called to bring additional crews to the area.

Fire crews were able to keep the flames from reaching any structures and knocked down the blaze by about 2:50 p.m., Hill said. No injuries were reported and the cause of the blaze is under investigation. Hill asked people to be vigilant about preventing fires during the hot and windy conditions in the East Bay.

Hill said:

“Although we’re not in red flag conditions, we’re awfully, awfully close.”

“It’s very windy in these Walnut Creek hills, and it’s prime time for grass fires like this to get out of control.”