Crime & Safety
Marsh Complex Fire Burns In Contra Costa County
Cal Fire officials believe 6-7 vegetation fires occurred in the area overnight, and the cause of the blazes was under investigation.
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A group of fires broke out early Saturday morning in unincorporated Contra Costa County, burning hundreds of acres as flames reportedly scorched a grassy hillside near a horse enclosure on the northwest side of Mount Diablo. Multiple fires were reportedly burning near Brentwood and Clayton and a shelter-in-place order was issued as the fires merged into one bigger blaze.
The so-called Marsh Complex Fire broke out about 1 mile east of the intersection of Marsh Creek Road and Morgan Territory Road, southwest of Brentwood, Cal Fire said. About 665 acres have burned, with the fire 75-percent contained by 5 p.m. Saturday, according to fire officials.
No injuries have been reported and no structures are threatened, Cal Fire officials said.
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Due to smoke from the blazes, air district officials on Saturday morning issued an air quality advisory for the Bay Area through Sunday.
Crews first responded shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday to a fire near Marsh Creek Road and Bragdon Way in Clayton.
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Firefighters at scene of multiple vegetation fires on Marsh Creek Rd and Morgan Territory Rd west of the community of Brentwood (Contra Costa County). #marshcomplex
— CAL FIRE SCU (@calfireSCU) August 3, 2019
In addition to about 400 firefighters from area agencies, aircraft were being used to dump water on the fires, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire officials believe at least seven smaller fires — possibly even 12 — occurred in the area overnight, and the cause of the blazes is under investigation.
A shelter-in-place order for the incident was lifted Saturday night.
Marsh Creek Road between Brentwood and Clayton, as well as Morgan Territory Road near Mount Diablo in unincorporated Contra Costa County, reopened to Saturday night. The opening of Marsh Creek Road was for residents with ID only, and Cal Fire said the roadway was set to close again to everyone at 7 a.m. Sunday.
#marshcomplex (update) Marsh Creek Rd and Morgan Territory Rd (Contra Costa County) Shelter in place for the incident has been lifted. Marsh Creek Rd is currently under a soft closure, only residents with an ID can enter. At 7am, Marsh Creek Rd will be under a hard closure.
— CAL FIRE SCU (@calfireSCU) August 4, 2019
Horrible news to wake up to. Several fires burning near Brentwood and Clayton. Shelter in place issued. Stay safe everyone #marshcomplex https://t.co/l9nFBvDqAS pic.twitter.com/cCjHZxd8SJ
— Amber Eikel (@AmberEikelKTVU) August 3, 2019
LATEST via Cal Fire on #MarshComplex in Contra Costa County: https://t.co/aP4JvCLGRl
-holding at 500 acres
-no evacuations, no structures damaged
-shelter in place still in effect near Clayton (Marsh Creek Road between Morgan Territory and Deer Valley roads) pic.twitter.com/OrsxfQV8ge
— Kristofer Noceda (@krisnoceda) August 3, 2019
#BREAKING Mike Borelli from @CAL_FIRE reports no evacuations at the #MarshComplex fire near Clayton. There are 5 strike teams on site with 3 more on the way. There is a shelter-in-place in the area. The fire is holding at 500 acres. @nbcbayarea https://t.co/hvovq7lmHr pic.twitter.com/72xNMFx2my
— John Zuchelli (@tvzuke) August 3, 2019
— Patch editor Maggie Avants and Bay City News Service contributed to this report.
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