Crews battle 2 brush fires in Contra Costa County in 1 day
The fires burned in Rodeo and near Alamo.
RODEO, Calif. (KGO) -- Crews battled two brush fires in Contra Costa County on Monday, CAL FIRE said.
The first fire dubbed the Rodeo Fire started around 12:06 p.m. southeast of Clayes Court and Stirling Drive in Rodeo, and burned at least 62 acres.
It burned near Highway 4 and the Phillips 66 refinery.
Firefighters in the Rodeo fire say structures are no longer threatened.
More than 30 companies of engines dozers and hand crews were called out as three helicopters dropped water on the fire.
And three air tankers swooped through repeatedly dropping huge swathes of pink fire retardant.
"CAL FIRE came out with their air tankers and helicopters along with ConTrac helicopters from CAL FIRE, so all the collaboration, all the units came out and finally got the fire contained," said Battalion Chief Jose Castrejon of the El Cerrito Fire Department.
Residents rushed home from work to protect their houses as a neighborhood nearby in Rodeo was evacuated.
"It's the knock you never wanna hear and just yelling at us, you need to evacuate. The fire is hitting our backyard. We have nine cats, two dogs, two birds, two rats," said resident Crystal Damato-Pineda.
There were no injuries and no damage to yards or homes.
But this fire scared residents into thinking about their escape plans.
"We didn't have a plan. Make a plan. If you live in a high-fire area, man, make a plan," Damato-Pineda said.
Crews battled another fire near Alamo about 30 miles away.
That fire was 5 acres.
Air support quickly dropped fire retardant to put down the blaze.
It prompted an evacuation warning for residents between Blackhawk Road and Green Valley Trail.
The Contra costa Community Warning System sent out an alert at 12:38 p.m. Monday, saying that it was possible an evacuation would be necessary and residents should be prepared. "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. "
At 1:33 p.m., that evacuation warning in Diablo and near Alamo was lifted.
Ground crews hosed down the area and stuck around in case the fire reignited.
No structures were damaged.
The cause of both fires are under investigation.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
