WATCH: 60-Acre Brush Fire Near Elementary School in Danville Contained

Update:

Firefighters contained a wildfire that burned about 60 acres near the Sycamore Valley Regional Open Space Preserve in Danville this afternoon, fire officials said. The fire was reported at 10:56 a.m. in an open area behind Sycamore Valley Elementary School at 2200 Holbrook Drive, San Ramon Valley Protection District Inspector Natalie Probert said.

Arriving crews saw the fire spreading rapidly and called a second alarm response. Cal Fire and Alameda County firefighters responded to assist in getting the fire under control. Officials at a summer program at the elementary school decided to move the students to another location to keep them safe and the Beth Chaim Congregation next door also self-evacuated, Probert said.

The dry grass, breeze and warm weather were “textbook conditions for a grass fire that could spread pretty quickly,” Probert said. The blaze grew to about 60 acres before firefighters stopped its spread. Danville city officials said just before 1 p.m. that the fire had been contained but firefighters remained on scene to make sure it was completely out.

There was good weed abatement in the area to prevent the fire’s spread and help firefighters keep it away from structures, Probert said. Probert said it’s important for homeowners to keep a 100-foot perimeter around their homes and property clear of dry brush and tall grass, but warned residents not to use tractors and lawnmowers on particularly hot or dry days since the machine’s blades could strike a rock and spark a fire.

No structures were damaged by today’s fire and no one was injured, Probert said. The cause of today’s fire is under investigation.

Update:

Firefighters contained a wildfire that burned about 30 acres near the Sycamore Valley Regional Open Space Preserve in Danville this afternoon, city and fire officials said.

The fire was reported at about 11:15 a.m. in the area of Sycamore Valley Elementary School at 2200 Holbrook Drive, according to Cal Fire.

Danville city officials said just before 1 p.m. that the fire had been contained but firefighters remained on scene to make sure it was completely out. No injuries or structure damage was reported.

Original story:

Firefighters are working to put out a grass fire burning in Danville this afternoon, Cal Fire officials said.

The fire was reported in the area of 2200 Holbrook Drive, near Sycamore Valley Elementary School, at about 11:15 a.m., according to Cal Fire. As of 11:30 a.m., flames were still spreading and 30 acres had been consumed. The fire could grow as large as 50-60 acres, according to Cal Fire.

Firefighters were still working to contain the blaze as of early this afternoon but no structures are threatened and no one has been injured by the fire.

By Bay City News

Photo, video: Michael Iglesias