Negotiating steep, brush-covered hillsides, firefighters brought a 30-acre wildland fire under control Tuesday afternoon in a little more than an hour.
The fire began behind the Richmond Ramblers Motorcycle Club clubhouse on Dornan Drive across from the picnic area at Miller-Knox Regional Shoreline, and went up the prominent hill known as Nicholl Knob, said Richmond Fire Chief Michael Banks. It briefly threatened houses on Crest Avenue.
At least 17 fire engines from Richmond, East Bay Regional Park District, Contra Costa County and the California Department of Forestry responded to the blaze, which was reported at 4:52 p.m.
Two tanker planes, a state Department of Forestry helicopter and an East Bay Regional Park District helicopter also helped to fight the fire, which was brought under control at about 6:10 p.m., Banks said. No injuries or damage to structures were reported.
"The steep terrain is one of the biggest challenges, getting access to all the little gully areas," Banks said. "This is a normal spot for the fires to happen. We're out here every year."
The cause of the fire is under investigation, as is the cause of another fire in almost the same location, which burned 13 acres on Sunday.
