Large grass fire causes animal evacuations, damage to Travis Air Force Base

SUISUN CITY, Calif. (KGO) -- Wind whipped a fast-moving grass fire that sent neighbors running, including personnel on a North Bay air force base.

RELATED: Prepare NorCal emergency resources

The intense flames of a raging wildland fire charged toward Travis Air Force Base.

Neighbors on Bella Vista Avenue saw Italian cypress trees smoking. After they ignited around 4 p.m.

Homeowner Carlos Lopez tried to put out the fire with his garden hose. "The trees on fire, went up quickly," he said. "We tried to control it with water, but too high."

Patrick Lair lives next door. His car and the side of his house damaged by the flames. "We rolled up and the house was on fire," he told ABC7 News. "It was crazy. Thank God it didn't burn down."

"The wind carried it over a backyard fence," said Suisun City Fire Chief Mike O'Brien. "Then off to Travis Air Force Base."

Gusty winds drove the fire fast and furious. It narrowly missed some grazing cattle but burned an abandoned building at a City Sports complex.

RELATED: Mandatory evacuations issued in Yolo County due to growing grass fire

Flames spread onto the base, where air force firefighters took over, assisted by city crews.

"They cut through a fence on the airforce base," said O'Brien. "I don't think anyone got shot."

The fire threatened a horse stable where military personnel board their animals. All the horses got out safely.

The fire was out two hours later -- the cause still unknown.