Forward progress stopped in Creek Fire as containment increases in East Bay wildfires

CONCORD, Calif. - An immediate evacuation order was issued on Friday afternoon for a fast-moving vegetation fire between the cities of Concord and Bay Point. 

Some evacuation orders have been downgraded to warnings as the fires continue to burn and threaten structures.

The fire, north of State Highway 4 off of Evora Road at Nichols Road, was first reported before 3 p.m. Friday.

The Point Fire has grown to 471 acres and is 85% contained as crews continue to respond, officials said. No injuries have been reported so far. No structures have burned, but structures remain threatened. 

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District posted to social media at 8:16 p.m. that forward progress was stopped. Cal Fire is the lead agency, but Con Fire units remain at the scene to assist. 

In the early stages of the fire, Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office Community Warning System said, "Take only important items you have ready and can carry with you. Pets must be in a carrier or on a leash. Stay off the phone unless you need to report a life-threatening emergency at your location. If you are physically unable to leave your home unassisted, call 9 1 1 for help."

As the day wore on, officials continued to update the community warning system. The system most recently said, "As of 7:30 PM due to a FIRE, residents in BAY POINT and CONCORD NORTH OF HIGHWAY 4 also known as ZONES CCC-E201, CCC-E215 CCC-E216, CCC-E217, CCC-E218 have NOW have all been downgraded to EVACUATION WARNING STATUS. Residents in these zones should PREPARE TO EVACUATE. For information on zones, visit protect.genasys.com This is an EVACUATION WARNING. You should prepare now in case an evacuation is ordered. Gather any important items you could carry with you, including medications, baby supplies, money, important papers, and photos. Locate any pets or animals and be prepared to cage or leash them. If you require additional time to evacuate, you should leave now. You will receive further instructions if an evacuation becomes necessary,"

• More information from Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff - Community Warning System

Evacuation information: You can find your zone here. 

SkyFOX flew over the scene to get a better vantage point.

KTVU's Amber Lee reported from a Bay Point neighborhood that saw some of its structures threatened as the fire spread on the hillside. 

One resident of a neighborhood in a rural area said she was making dinner when she received a mandatory evacuation order. 

"I was in the kitchen, and I was cooking and all of a sudden the light changed. It was almost like we were in an eclipse," Michelle Baughman said. She said she went outside and spoke with her husband, who told her their hill was "finally on fire."

She said once the fire hit the top of the ridge, the fire quickly accelerated. "We were scared," she said as she described the size of the massive embers. She said it's the embers that create the biggest problem. They started to make sure the embers didn't ignite the eaves or gutters of their home. About five minutes later, they left the area. "We grabbed our four chickens, our four dogs, and our one cat, and we just took off." 

They were able to return a little more than half an hour later.  No structures have burned in this area so far, but Baughman recognized the threat still exists. 

"We still see the planes come within 100 feet of the house to drop on this," she said, speaking of the firefighter aerial attacks. 

A Contra Costa County Fire Protection District fire captain estimated 100 homes were under mandatory evacuation. However, by late at night, most people were able to return to their homes. 

Other neighbors commented that this was the first time they've had a close call like this. Many said they were prepared and had created defensible space around their yards and properties. Some even brought out their hoses and sprang into action before the fire department arrived. 

Preparedness is key. Neighbors said they received evacuation alerts on their phones and that they were ready by having to-go bags and items like photo albums and insurance papers packed because they are well aware of the concerns during increasingly long fire seasons.

In addition to the phone alerts, a battalion chief alerted residents by knocking on doors. The cause of the Point Fire is under investigation. 

Meanwhile, less than 40 miles south, another fire is causing residents to evacuate in Alameda County. Officials say the Creek Fire in Sunol is 734 acres and 15% contained. 

The fire was first reported at about 3:57 p.m. at Welch Creek and Calaveras roads. A park and Welch Creek Road have been evacuated. 

Cal Fire said they are working with East Bay Regional Park District on those evacuations. The fire agency said air and ground resources continue to work to build and reinforce containment lines. Structures remain threatened. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

By night's end, the Creek Fire overtook the Point Fire in acreage regarding the two Bay Area wildfires. 

Bay City News contributed to this report.