Crime & Safety
Mt. Diablo Fire Now 45 Percent Contained
Cal Fire is gaining the upper hand on the Mt. Diablo fire.
—By Bay City News Service
The Morgan Fire, which has blackened the slopes of Mount Diablo and caused the evacuation of dozens of homes, is now 45 percent contained, Cal Fire officials said this morning.
The blaze is threatening 75 homes today -- 25 fewer than on Monday, according to Cal Fire.
A Contra Costa Fire Protection District spokesman said Monday that the fire had charred more than 3,700 acres, but Cal Fire reported this morning that only an estimated 3,243 acres have burned.
A Cal Fire spokesman explained that the new acreage estimate is the result of more refined fire mapping done since Monday.
The fire was first reported at about 1:10 p.m. Sunday off of Morgan Territory Road near Mount Diablo State Park, southeast of Clayton.
The Contra Costa fire district reported Monday that two firefighters had suffered minor injuries, and Cal Fire officials said this morning there has been a third injury, also minor.
Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for Oak Hill Lane, Curry Canyon Road, Curry Lane, Curry Point, and Trail Ride, East Trail, Russelmann Park, Upper Trail and Lower Trail roads.
An evacuation center has been set up at the Clayton Community Library at 6125 Clayton Road in Clayton. The library can be reached by calling (925) 673-0659.
There were 705 firefighters battling the blaze this morning, with the help of 100 fire engines, 11 helicopters and four air tankers, according to Cal Fire. More than a dozen agencies are involved in the response.
No homes have burned, but a Cal Fire official said Monday that a communication shed that contains electrical equipment was destroyed Sunday night.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management issued a smoke advisory because of the fire on Monday, and several schools and city agencies in the area canceled outdoor activities. Santa Clara County is included in the advisory.
Copyright © 2013 by Bay City News, Inc. -- Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
