New Details On Blaze Near Caldecott Tunnel From Moraga-Orinda Fire District

LAMORINDA, CA — A vehicle that burst into flames near the Caldecott Tunnel early Thursday ignited a fast-moving brush fire that threatened to spread through dry East Bay hillsides as Red Flag weather conditions heightened wildfire concerns across the region.

Local fire officials today sent updated details about the blaze involving a vehicle that burst into flames near the Caldecott Tunnel early Thursday. The car fire ignited a fast-moving brush fire that threatened to spread through dry East Bay hillsides as Red Flag weather conditions heightened wildfire concerns across the region.

The fire broke out around 3:45 a.m. June 11 near the eastbound Fish Ranch Road entrance to Highway 24 in Orinda, according to the Moraga-Orinda Fire District.

Officials said a vehicle caught fire along the highway after the driver pulled over. Flames quickly engulfed the vehicle, spread into nearby vegetation, and ignited a brush fire that raced across a hillside near Fish Ranch Road.

When firefighters arrived, they found the vehicle fully engulfed by flames. With Red Flag conditions in effect and dry fuels increasing the risk of rapid fire growth, fire commanders immediately launched a full-alarm vegetation fire response.

Moraga-Orinda Fire District crews attacked the blaze alongside personnel from CAL FIRE and the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.

Firefighters mounted an aggressive initial attack and stopped the fire before it could spread deeper into the surrounding hills. Crews contained the blaze to about one-half acre of vegetation, and no structures were threatened,

"This incident is a reminder of how quickly a vehicle fire can extend into nearby vegetation during Red Flag conditions," Fire Chief Jeff Isaacs said in the statement. "The quick actions of our firefighters, along with the support of our regional partners, helped prevent this incident from becoming a larger wildland fire."

The cause of the vehicle fire remains under investigation.

Fire officials credited the rapid response and regional cooperation among Moraga-Orinda Fire District, CAL FIRE, and Contra Costa County Fire Protection District crews for preventing a potentially larger wildfire during a period of elevated fire danger.