Airdrops And Evacuations During 4-Alarm Fire In Concord Friday

Grass fires investigators say may have been started by a backfiring car burned over 300 acres on and around Lime Ridge Open Space along Ygnacio Valley Rd. in Concord Friday.

The fire was close to 90 percent contained by 10:30 p.m., according to fire officials, with firefighters remaining on the scene to prevent any flareups.

Approximately 200 residents of the Crystyl Ranch and Montecito subdivisions were allowed to return home this evening following mandatory evacuations
earlier in the day.

The initially separate fires were first reported (3:40 p.m.) and began burning as firefighters were dealing with a 2-alarm blaze burning property on Bethel Island. Aerial support battling that easternmost fire appear to have been shifted to fight the Concord fires – which was declared a 4-alarm blaze at 4 p.m.

Road closures were swiftly put in place, with Walnut Creek police closing Ygnacio Valley Road at Oak Grove to prevent citizens from interfering with emergency vehicles and other key intersections have been shut down.

Citizens are reporting thick smoke in the area with fire and police going door to door to advise people to leave their homes. Dozens of neighbors from the Crystyl Ranch and Montecito neighborhoods were asked to leave their homes.

Two firefighters sustained minor injuries while fighting the blaze.

Evacuees were advised to re-unite at Centre Concord, where they would be updated as to conditions and informed when they could return home.