4 Bay Area Wildfires Scorch 739 Acres

BAY AREA, CA — Crews continued Friday to battle four major wildfires that erupted Thursday across the Bay Area, prompting evacuations as more than 700 acres were charred in a few short hours.

Two firefighters were injured and one outbuilding was lost.

Here's the latest on the fires, as well as a smaller blaze that briefly burned Thursday near the Valero refinery in Benicia.

Scenic Fire, Contra Costa County

The Scenic Fire broke out at 2:24 p.m. Thursday northeast of Martinez on Carquinez Scenic Drive, prompting evacuation warnings for some residents in the Port Costa and Crockett areas. By early Thursday evening, crews stopped the blaze just short of the town of Port Costa and all evacuation orders were lifted.

Friday morning, the Scenic Fire was 120 acres and 70 percent contained. Firefighters were expected to remain at the scene Friday, strengthening containment lines as they work toward full containment, Cal Fire said.

The blaze remained under investigation.

Crews are expected to remain at the Scenic Fire for multiple days because there are several eucalyptus groves in the area that present difficult conditions for firefighters, Cal Fire told Patch.

Tesla Fire, Alameda County

The Tesla fire ignited around 5:40 p.m. Thursday on Tesla and Corral Hollow Roads, 11 miles southeast of Livermore. Within about three hours, the flames quickly spread to 300 acres.

By Friday morning, the Tesla Fire was 522 acres and 50 percent contained, with all evacuation orders lifted.

Investigators have determined there was a car fire in the area where the Tesla Fire broke out. The car hit a tree and burst into flames, and Cal Fire is investigating whether the blaze started in the car and spread to nearby vegetation. It is possible the driver saw the fire which caused them to crash, Cal Fire SCU Division Chief Chuck Carroll told Patch.

Canyon Fire, Alameda County

Containment was at 20 percent Friday morning in the Canyon Fire which ignited Thursday afternoon in the hills between Pleasanton and Sunol, prompting evacuations. As of 6:57 a.m., agency officials said the Canyon Fire was mapped at 71 acres.

Evacuation orders have been lifted but crews are expected to remain on scene for multiple days because there is no recent burn history in the area, making firefighting conditions challenging, Carroll said.

Two firefighters were treated for injuries suffered in the blaze and have since been released from medical care. Cal Fire did not have detailed information on their injuries but said one was a Fremont firefighter who was struck by a falling tree.

The cause of the blaze remained under investigation. One outbuilding burned and Cal Fire is investigating whether the fire started in the building or spread to it, Carroll said.

Timm Fire, Solano County

The Timm Fire broke out around 2:15 p.m. Thursday at Buena Vista Lane and Timm Road north of Vacaville in Solano County. The blaze was initially reported to be 39 acres but was more accurately mapped late Thursday to 26 acres, with 80 percent containment.

The cause of the Timm Fire remained under investigation.

Fire Near Benicia Valero Refinery

A wildfire also erupted Thursday afternoon near the Valero refinery in Benicia. That blaze charred 3 acres, Cal Fire told Patch.

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