Grass Fire Burns Along Highway 4 In Concord

CONCORD, CA — Firefighters squelched a grass fire Thursday along state Highway 4 but not before it charred an estimated 10-12 acres, according to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. The Willow Fire broke out at about 1 p.m. along the shoulder of eastbound SR-4 in Concord, just east of the freeway onramp to Willow Pass Road; as of 2 p.m. forward progress was stopped, according to reports from Con Fire and California Highway Patrol.

At least 70 firefighting personnel and one air support unit responded from Con Fire, Cal Fire, MOTCO Fire and the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, according to Steve Hill, spokesman for Con Fire.

"We had one air drop, and the combined result was we got it contained and knocked down before it got away from us ... especially in that area, where there are houses," Hill told Patch.

The blaze was "the largest fire of the season to date and an early indicator of what is to come with Red Flag conditions this weekend," officials with Con Fire said. "... Conditions are already dangerous as demonstrated here. Use extreme caution outdoors."

The cause of Thursday's fire was still being investigated but its proximity to homes, Hill said, served as a good reminder for property owners to ensure they have sufficient "defensible space" around their homes and businesses. [Click here for information from Con Fire about 2019 weed abatement deadlines.]

"One property can put a whole neighborhood at risk," Hill said.