Hundreds of firefighters battle multiple Bay Area fires

J.R. Stone Image
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
Hundreds of firefighters battle multiple Bay Area fires
Winds and dry conditions are fueling several vegetation fires burning in the East Bay and North Bay, including Benicia, Rodeo and Fairfield.

BENICIA, Calif. (KGO) -- Several fires across the Bay Area broke out Monday afternoon sending fire crews scrambling to control those blazes.

Fairfield:

Mandatory evacuation orders that were put into place in Fairfield have been lifted.

They were in place for several hours Monday afternoon as a fire tore through Nelson Hill, an area near the Pittman Road exit on I-80.

Monday afternoon fire trucks were situated up and down both Link and Cordelia Roads. Fairfield Fire Chief Tony Velasquez tells us that no one was hurt and no homes burned. He does say an outbuilding burned but it wasn't being used for anything.

SKY7 is over a grass fire burning in Fairfield.

The Mountain Meadows Fire that burned 60 acres Monday afternoon and evening off Mountain Meadows Drive was under control as about 7:20 p.m., police Lt. Jausiah Jacobsen said.

The fire started a little after 4:30 p.m. and 30 houses had to be evacuated, Businesses too were notified or evacuated, Jacobsen said.

RELATED: Crews Fire burns 5,400 acres near Gilroy, 20% percent contained

No houses or businesses have been damaged and no one has been injured, he said.

Evacuations have been lifted and all roads but Cordelia Road have been reopened. Cordelia Road is expected to be closed until 10 p.m. or 11 p.m., police said.

Benicia:

Crews were also battling a 4-alarm fire near Highway 680 in Benecia which forced the closure of several southbound lanes before the Carquinez Bridge.

The fire was first reported around 1:20 p.m. and quickly grew.

Fire officials say at least four acres burned on a side of I-680 and one acre on the opposite side.

Rodeo:

In Rodeo, crews battled another vegetation fire burning close to homes near eastbound Highway 80 and Cummings Skyway onramp.

Contra Costa Fire Department says forward progress has been stopped and approximately 230 acres have burned.

Officials say no structures were damaged and no injuries were reported.

CAL FIRE air attack was at the scene and fire watch will continue into the evening.

It is unknown what caused the fires.

Bay City News contributed to this report.