Clayton Marsh Fire Latest: 247 Acres, 75% Contained, 1 Injured

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — The Marsh Fire burning since Wednesday afternoon was 247 acres and 75-percent contained Thursday evening after destroying one home and three outbuildings, officials with Cal Fire said. Crews with the East Contra Costa County Fire Protection District first responded to the vegetation fire east of Mt. Diablo in the Clayton area at about 2:300 p.m. Wednesday. The blaze broke out in the 12000 block of Marsh Creek Road near Bragdon Way and within about 30 minutes, at least one structure was reportedly on fire in the 12030 block of Marsh Creek Road.

One firefighter suffered a minor injury in the fast-moving blaze, officials said.

Some 13 homes and other structures — down from more than 100 — were still threatened by the wildfire Thursday evening, with mandatory evacuations in effect for residents of Marsh Creek Road from Morgan Territory Road to Gill Drive.

Amid windy conditions and high temperatures Wednesday afternoon, residents on Marsh Creek Springs near Leon Drive and Morgan Territory Road, and residents of Marsh Creek Road between Deer Valley Road and Morgan Territory Road in Clayton, were advised to immediately evacuate.

"Leave now by car," officials said in an emergency alert Wednesday to affected residents. "Go by way of Morgan Territory Road toward Clayton or Deer Valley Road toward Brentwood. Take only those essential items you have ready and can carry with you ... Lock your windows and doors as you leave..."

Evacuation centers were set up at the Clayton Library in the Meeting Room, 6125 Clayton Road in Clayton and at Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St. in Brentwood.

Road closures as of 6 p.m. Thursday included: Marsh Creek Road at Gill Drive, Marsh Creek Road at Deer Valley (open to residents only) and Marsh Creek Road at Morgan Territory Road.

"Firefighters continued to make good progress today," Cal Fire officials said in a 6 p.m. update. "A regional response continues to work cooperatively on protecting structures and increasing containment. Cooler overnight temperatures will continue to aid fire fighters on the ground in order to increase containment. Damage inspection personnel have determined that only 13 homes remain threatened."

Some 70 firefighting personnel — down from 100 earlier Thursday — were still assigned to the blaze. Cooperating agencies included: Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, East Bay Regional Parks, Moraga Orinda Fire Protection District, San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office, California Highway Patrol, Contra Costa County Animal Services, Alameda County Fire Department and Marin County Fire Department.

Residents should note that much of the area is without power, fire officials said. As of 7 p.m. Thursday, PG&E reported that of 544 customers who initially lost power, only six still were still without electricity. Crews remained on scene and were working to restore service, according to the utility company. The status of power service to the area can be checked online at: Pge.com/#outages.

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Photo by Renee Schiavone/Patch