Four-alarm fire burns at Sign Hill, evacuations underway

A grass fire reported at Sign Hill in South San Francisco shortly after noon Friday has grown to four alarms, according to fire officials.

Authorities are at the scene and homes nearby have been evacuated, the South San Francisco Fire Department said.

Evacuations have been ordered at Carnelian Road, Sonja Road, Mountain Road, Ridgeview Court and Viewmont Terrace. An temporary evacuation center has been set up at the Municipal Services Building & Social Hall at 33 Arroyo Drive.

Video captured by Citizen and posted by the San Francisco Fire Department shows the fire burning near the landmark “South San Francisco The Industrial City” lettering at the top of the hill in San Mateo County.

South San Francisco police said just before 1 p.m. that retardant is being dropped on the blaze, which is “extremely dangerous.” Police have asked the public to not fly drones anywhere near the firefighting operation.

Update: Fire officials reported containment of the blaze at 2:18 p.m. Evacuation orders remained in place as crews work to fully extinguish.

Update: This story was updated to include evacuation details at 1:40 p.m.