Update per California disasters alifornia: Morgan Fire Near Mt. Diablo Grows to 1,500 Acres, Forces Evacuations (+Photos) By Zachary Stieber, Epoch Times | September 8, 2013 A growing fire near Mt. Diablo in Contra Costa County California forced evacuations after having spread from 400 to 1,500 acres overnight. The fire covered 1,500 acres as of 7:15 a.m. PDT and was 10 percent contained, according to Cal Fire, the state’s fire agency. Firefighters battled the fire throughout the night, Fire Chief Lewis Broschard of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District told reporter David DeBolt. The only saving grace as they battled adverse conditions was the absence of a strong wind, reported the Concord Dispatch. The fire threatened 75 structures last night in the Curry Creek and Oak Hill area, about five miles southeast of downtown Clayton, putting residents living in those homes under a mandatory evacuation, according to Julie Hutchinson, a Cal Fire spokeswoman. Evacuations have been ordered for Oak Hill Lane, Curry Canyon, and Curry Point. “They are making some progress, but it is burning some pretty thick heavy brush and now threatening some homes,” she told the San Francisco Chronicle. Firefighters are having a challenge fighting the fire. “It’s a steep and rugged area there, steep terrain with poor access,” she said. Cal Fire first reported battling the fire at 2:47 p.m. PDT. It was reported then as 15 acres off Morgan Territory Road by Cal Fire, and off of Marsh Creek Road by the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, which has crews assisting in battling the fire. The Alameda County Fire Department is also assisting. 41 fire engines, 3 helicopters, 9 bulldozers, 5 water tenders, and over 360 firefighters and other personnel are battling the fire. Smoke from the fire can be seen from San Francisco, which is about about 15 miles southwest. People in the city posted pictures on Twitter and Instagram. The evacuation center for those evacuated was at Diablo View Middle School but has been changed to Clayton Community Library at 6125 Clayton Road, according to the county sheriff’s office. Clayton Mayor Julie Pierce told the Contra Costa Times that people are having flashbacks to the fire of 1977, which charred 6,000 acres on the north side of Mt. Diablo. “We’re hoping it’s not as bad as that,” she said. Karen Cooper safely evacuated 20 dogs from the kennel she works at on Morgan Territory Road, but she was missing two of her horses, Butter and Pineapple. “It’s been intense,” she said. Stacie Thomason, 42, was at the library/evacuation center but wondered whether she should go back to her house at the base of Mt. Diablo for more. ”I have a lot of family stuff, possessions, so I’m nervous,” she said. “That’s why I’m thinking about going back.” The cause of the fire isn’t known yet. Story developing; check back for updates. Source: theepochtimes/n3/281495-california-morgan-fire-near-mt-diablo-growing-and-forcing-evacuations/?photo=2 = ( J
Posted on: Mon, 09 Sep 2013 15:58:49 +0000