Crews rein in Merrill Fire to 80 percent containment

Evacuations have been lifted in the area of the Merrill Fire in Moraga, where about 140 structures had been threatened by the fire early Thursday morning, according to Contra Costa County officials. The fire was reported at 12:54 a.m. in the area of Merrill Circle and Sanders Ranch Road.

Moraga police issued evacuation orders for the Sanders Ranch neighborhood and an evacuation center was set up at St. Monica’s Church at 1001 Camino Pablo.

According to Cal Fire, the blaze burned approximately 40 acres and was 80 percent contained as of shortly after 7 a.m.

Contra Costa County officials wrote on Twitter around the same time that the “all-clear” has been issued for the Sanders Ranch neighborhood. The cause of the fire has not been determined.