Morgan Fire Grows Rapidly Near Mount Diablo Friday

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A wildfire spread rapidly Friday afternoon near Mount Diablo, growing quickly as firefighters fought back flames burning through steep brush and timber.

The Morgan Fire ignited around 2 p.m., near the 2430 block of Morgan Territory Road and Marsh Creek Road.

Crews from Cal Fire and the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District are currently on scene of the three-alarm fire east of Clayton.

The fire is burning in rugged terrain near Mount Diablo, where steep slopes, dry vegetation, and hot summer conditions can accelerate wildfire spread and make suppression efforts more difficult.

The fire initially burned about 2 acres before racing uphill through brush and timber on steep slopes, according to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.

As fire activity intensified, Air Attack requested additional aircraft to support firefighters on the ground. The request increased the response to eight Type 1 air tankers and four helicopters assigned to the incident, according to reports.

But as of Friday at 3:20, authorities had not reported evacuations, structures threatened or damaged, injuries, containment, or the cause of the fire, according to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.

Firefighters are expected to remain engaged Friday afternoon as ground crews and aircraft work to slow the wildfire's uphill advance.