Multiple Brush Fires Scorch East Bay

High temperatures, dry brush and one lit cigarette contributed to a slew of raging fires in the East Bay on Saturday, including one that scorched several homes in Antioch and another that charred 100 acres near Livermore. 

One house on Burwood Way in Antioch was completely obscured by bright orange flames after the homeowner's neighbor flicked a lit cigarette into some dry weeds at about 5 p.m., according to fire officials. 

All told, 30 homes were threatened and at least 5 were damaged or destroyed as a result of the cigarette, fire officials said. 

What's more, police officials discovered a marijuana grow operation in another neighbor's home during evacuations of the Antioch neighborhood. Several people believed to be connected to the grow house were arrested, fire officials said. 

That escalated so quick. Antioch house fire. pic.twitter.com/wmCk3Q5tBi — Jackie Richardson (@JackkieMarrie) June 26, 2016

A vegetation fire also broke out along Highway 4 in Contra Costa County Saturday afternoon.

Fire dispatch said the 15-acre blaze broke out near Willow Pass and Evora roads between Concord and Bay Point.

Crews from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and CalFire responded to the fire. They are also dropped hot-pink flame retardant on the blaze from the air.

Crews were also battling a structure fire on the 20 block of Sycamore Avenue in Brentwood, officials said. 

But that was hardly the last East Bay fire to break out on Saturday. 

More than 100 acres on the Altamont Pass between Livermore and Tracy erupted in flames after three fires of West Bound 580 and Grand Line Road converged. That blaze was contained as of 6:30 p.m. 

Anyone going to Livermore over 205, don't. Huge fire, no visibility, police blockade and a complete standstill. Stay safe my friends. — Melissa Zamora (@missyz13) June 26, 2016

Livermore: On the afternoon of Saturday, June 25, 2016, there were 3 separate vegetation fires on the north side of West Bound (WB) Interstate-580 in the Altamont Pass. WB I-580 was temporarily shut down for firefighting operations while Alameda County, Livermore-Pleasanton, Tracy, East Bay Regional Parks and Cal Fire firefighters responded to the fires. This aerial photo, courtesy of Cal Fire, is from the east looking west. In total, the East Fire was contained at 31 acres, the Middle Fire was contained at 95 acres and the West Fire was contained at 85 acres. Additionally, OES Strike Team 2870C with firefighters from the Alameda County, Oakland, Hayward and Fremont Fire Departments, was returning home from the San Gabriel Complex fires and utilized as part of the response. The cause of the fires is under investigation. @lpfirefighters @fremontfire @local55oakland @alcofirefighters #ALCOFirefighters #ACFD #ALCOFire #AlamedaCounty #Firefighters #Livermore #Tracy #CalFire #VegetationFire #FireSeason #AltamontPass

A photo posted by Alameda County Fire Department (@alamedacofire) on Jun 25, 2016 at 8:53pm PDT