Cal Fire

2-Alarm Brush Fire Burns Structures, Forces Evacuations in Clayton: Firefighters

At least three structures, including a home, burned and several other buildings were threatened by a two-alarm brush fire Wednesday in Clayton, fire officials said.

The blaze started around 2:30 p.m. and was burning near 12000 Marsh Creek Road, east of Morgan Territory Road. The fire has charred at least 247 acres and was 20 percent contained as of late Wednesday night, firefighters said.

Authorities have requested a road closure for both ends on Marsh Creek Road. Immediate evacuations have been ordered in Marsh Creek Springs near Leon Drive and Morgan Territory Road.

Some of the first people to be let into the area were volunteers who help evacuate livestock. They will be on hand to clear out large animals that are still in the fire zone.

"I was actually on my way home from Camp Parks, and my daughter notified me to hook the truck and trailer up and get on the road," said Faith Fisher of Equine Rescue.

A long line of residents' vehicles were parked on Marsh Creek Road through the evening. Many of them belong to evacuees, a few of whom had only minutes to save what they could.

"My family is OK," resident Andrea Golden said. "My husband was at work, my kids were at friends houses, I got my dogs, and that’s all that matters."

Roger Harris spent some of the afternoon nervously watching the fleet of helicopters and planes drop water and fire retardant near his house.

"I just wish they’d hit those flames that are on the side of the hill by our house a little harder," he said.

Here's the full evacuation order from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District:

  • Due to fire, an immediate evacuation has been ordered for Leon Drive. Leave now by vehicle. Go by way of Morgan Territory Road. Take only those essential items you have ready and can carry with you. Pets must be in a carrier or on a leash. Lock your windows and doors as you leave. Stay off the phone unless you need to report a life-threatening emergency at your location. However, if you are physically unable to leave your home unassisted, call 911 for help.

At around 5:40 p.m. authorities expanded the immediate evacuation orders to Marsh Creek Road, between Dear Valley and Morgan Territory roads.

Here's the expanded evacuation order:

  • This is a message from Cal Fire. Due to fire an immediate evacuation has been ordered for Marsh Creek Rd between Dear Valley Rd and Morgan Territory Rd. Leave now by car. Go by way of Morgan Territory Rd towards Clayton. or Dear Valley Rd towards Brentwood. Take only those essential items you have ready and can carry with you. Pets must be in a carrier or on a leash. Lock your windows and doors as you leave. Stay off the phone unless you need to report a life-threatening emergency at your location. However, if you are physically unable to leave your home unassisted, call 9 1 1 for help.

The Red Cross opened two fire evacuation centers late Wednesday. They are: Clayton Meeting Hall, 6125 Clayton Road in Clayton, next to the library; Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St. in Brentwood, next to the library.

07252018EvacMap_3620332
NBC Bay Area
Immediate evacuations were ordered Wednesday afternoon in Clayton due to a brush fire. The areas under the evacuation order are Marsh Creek Springs near Leon Drive and Morgan Territory Road. (July 25, 2018)
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