4-alarm Concord grass fire prompts evacuations, burns 268 acres

CONCORD, Calif. (KTVU) - Firefighters responded Friday to a four-alarm grass fire on the side of Ygnacio Valley Road in Concord, officials said.

Fire officials say the 268-acre blaze threatened 200-300 homes off of Ygnacio Valley Road near the Cal State East Bay campus in Concord.

Immediate evacuation orders were issued for Crystal Ranch Dr. and Montecito Dr. in Concord around 5:00 p.m., according to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. 

"It's scary. It got close. It's just like right at the fence," said Dean Maniti, whose brother's home was evacuated. 

The first report of the blaze at Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Cowell St. came in at 3:42 p.m. Friday afternoon. Witnesses reported that a car backfired, sparking at least three small fires and sending flames up hillsides toward homes.  At one point, fre officials tweeted 'leave now by car."

A mother and her four children were at a water park nearby when the fire broke out. "We look over and there's huge flames. We said, 'wait a minute, that looks like Mt. Diablo. This is close,'" said Sue Breward. 

She and her family tried to rush home, only to find that their neighborhood was under mandatory evacuation. "I'm expecting that it's going to be hard to see what it looks like so close to us. At the same time, we're lucky that it actually hasn't affected us," said Breward.

Fire officials say there was no damage to any homes. 

"Because of the air resources, we were able to get some drops in strategic locations and keep the fire directed away from the homes," said Fire Marshall Robert Marshall with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. 

Many evacuated residents waited along Ygnacio Valley Rd. to get word about their homes and when they can return. Concerns turned into relief and gratitude that their homes were saved. Eastbound Ygnacio Valley Oak Grove roads were closed until approximately 9:00 p.m., according to Walnut Creek police.　

"I didn't realize it was that close. It was there," said Gel Maniti whose home was under mandatory evacuation. "The fire department did such a fantastic job." 

Two firefighters suffered minor burns. Cal Fire announced at 8:45 p.m. that the fire was 80 percent contained. Crews remained in the area through the night to keep an eye on hotspots. 

The fire marshal is urging people to refrain from doing anything that could potentially start a fire since the weather is hot. He says with July Fourth coming, people should not play with fireworks.

Evacuated residents were allowed back home when the mandatory evacuation order was lifted a few minutes after 10:00 p.m. Friday.