Wildfire Threatens Homes Near Mount Diablo State Park in California

A fast-moving grass fire consumed nearly 80 acres and briefly threatened several hillside homes Wednesday as fire crews worked to contain it.

The blaze near the Boundary Oak Golf Course at the base of Mount Diablo broke out at 8:15 p.m. and quickly went to two alarms, Contra Costa Fire Marshal Richard Carpenter said.

Firefighters contained about 80 percent of the fire by 9:45 p.m. The remaining 20 percent was burning in steep, rough terrain and Carpenter said it was fueled by 20 to 25 mph winds.

At least 35 to 40 firefighters were called to the scene, Carpenter said. The California Department of Forestry was also sending five wildfire units.

No evacuations were ordered, but flames of more than 25 to 35 feet burned within several hundred yards of houses on Timberleaf Court and Arbolado Drive. The neighborhood is located near the Lime Ridge open space region.

"One of the (homeowners) down on Timberleaf was actually taking computer equipment and other items from his house," resident Cynde Kauzer said.

Dozens of homeowners and curious passersby gathered in groups along Arbolado Drive watching the flames play peek-a-boo over the crest of a nearby hill.

The cause of the fire was unclear late Wednesday. Several days of high temperatures and low humidity may have contributed to conditions that led to the fire. The high in Walnut Creek on Wednesday was 80 degrees.

Mount Diablo State Park is often closed on days when the fire danger is extreme. The fire danger was posted as low Wednesday.

Distributed by the Associated Press