Shelter In Place Order Triggered By Hazardous Chemical Release Lifted In Contra Costa County

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — The Contra Costa Fire Protection District gave the all-clear Friday evening after issuing a shelter-in-place order due to a hazardous chemicals release near Walnut Creek.

As of 6:30 p.m., authorities had not publicly identified the nature of the hazardous chemical release in the Bancroft neighborhood nor its source.

Fire officials had ordered residents in portions of Concord and Pleasant Hill to shelter indoors this evening after a hazardous chemicals emergency threatened neighborhoods near Interstate 680.

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District issued the emergency alert at 5:34 p.m., warning people within designated evacuation zones that remaining indoors would significantly reduce their exposure to the hazardous material.

The affected area was east of Interstate 680, south of Monument Boulevard, and west of Oak Grove Road. The shelter-in-place order covers neighborhoods east of Interstate 680, south of Monument Boulevard, and west of Oak Grove Road in Concord and western Pleasant Hill, including the Community Warning System zones WCR-025, WCR-021, CNC-019, and PLH-048

Authorities instructed residents to immediately go inside and close all windows and doors. They also directed people to turn off heaters, air conditioners, fans, and other ventilation systems. Residents using fireplaces were told to close dampers and vents when the fireplaces were not in use.

Officials also advised people to seal cracks around doors and windows with tape or damp towels, avoid using telephones except to report life-threatening emergencies, and remain indoors until emergency officials issue further instructions.

The orders affected resident in:

• WCR-025 — West Concord area east of I-680, generally south of Monument Boulevard.
• WCR-021 — Central Concord neighborhood immediately east of I-680 near Monument Boulevard.
• CNC-019 — Central Concord area extending east toward Oak Grove Road.
• PLH-048 — Western Pleasant Hill, generally west of Oak Grove Road and adjacent to the Concord city limit.

Taken together, the affected area was bounded by:

• West: Interstate 680
• North: Monument Boulevard
• East: Oak Grove Road
• South: The southern edge of the defined CWS zone, encompassing neighborhoods between Concord and western Pleasant Hill.

Residents can monitor updates through Contra Costa County's emergency alert system at CWSAlerts.com.