The prescribed burn, which was supposed to smolder between 20 to 28 acres, began at 10 a.m. today in the area of the park's steam train and jumped the burn line at about 12:30 p.m. to an area scheduled for an upcoming prescribed burn, East Bay Regional Park District spokeswoman Shelly Lewis.
After jumping the line, the blaze grew 10 extra acres before it was nearly contained around 3 p.m., according to Lewis.
Full containment is expected around 4:20 p.m., Lewis said.
A Tilden Park Golf Course pro shop assistant said he could see the flames as he was driving from Walnut Creek on state Highway 24 to the golf course.
"I saw black smoke," said pro shop assistant James Fajardo. "I was going to call it in, but I couldn't tell if it was a controlled burn."
Another pro shop assistant said he also saw smoke but no flames, and even though the fire was less than a mile from the golf course, the blaze never threatened the golf course.
"It was burning pretty good up there for awhile," said pro shop assistant Ray Schwatka. "(But) it seems the rain has helped them."
No injuries were reported, Lewis said.
