Breaking: Concord evacuations as 260-acre fire nears homes
A multi-alarm vegetation fire broke out just after 3 p.m. Friday, June 29th in Concord off Ygnacio Valley Road. Evacuations were ordered for the Crystal Ranch and Montecito neighborhoods and the eastbound lanes of Ygnacio Valley Road were closed to commute traffic. The last update, approximately 6:42 p.m. from Contra Costa Fire indicate that the fire has consumed approximately 260 acres of dry hillside.
Site of fire origin off Ygnacio Valley Road in Concord, Calif. June 29, 2018. Flames quickly moved toward Crystal Ranch Road with winds reaching 14 mph. Photo by Nik Wojcik
UPDATE / #YgnacioIC advising 175 acres 50% containment at this time with potential for 200+ acres / all units committed with strike teams from out of county enroute to assist @ContraCostaFire #Concord
— CCC Firefighters (@CCCFirefighters) June 30, 2018
Concord resident Gary Inmen lives in the Walnut Country Crossings just across Ygnacio Valley Road from the site of the fire. Inmen was not worried that it would reach his home even as flames burned past the fire break and to the edge of Crystal Ranch Road as winds reached 14 mph. If the fire were to jump the Crystal Ranch Road, it would be fueled by another dry hillside dangerously close to the Cal State East Bay campus.
Fire burned 175 acres off Ygnacio Valley Road in Concord, Calif. with 50 percent containment by 5:30 p.m. June 29, 2018. Photo by Nik Wojcik
Helicopters were filling water at the Newhall Park lake to help tame the burn, but eventually airplanes were brought it in and can be seen flying in and out of the smoke. CCC Firefighters say they have the blaze 50 percent contained but evacuations have not yet been lifted and first responder activity is still heightened in area.
Ian Maslen was out for a ride when he noticed the smoke and walked to the top of the hill over Newhall Park for a better view. Maslen was able to capture a video of the helicopter refueling from the community park lake below.
Amazing video of helicopter refilling at lake in Newhall Park in effort to fight #ConcordFire, captured by Concord resident Ian Maslen. pic.twitter.com/IsIBrXgH3O
— Nik Wojcik (@nik_shine) June 30, 2018
Red Cross volunteers are mobilizing to assist the evacuated residents. This story is in progress and we’ll bring you updates as we find out more.
Residents gather on hill above Newhall Park to watch fire off Ygnacio Valley Road in Concord, Calif. June 29, 2018. Photo by Nik Wojcik
