Flames spread upward toward multiple structures on Ascot Drive, but there were no injuries or damage reported.  Over 100 personnel and two dozen vehicles, including air support, responded to the fire.

 "We threw a lot of equipment at this fire," said MOFD Fire Marshal Michael Mentink, "We always call for reinforcement at this time of the year when a brush fire starts close to buildings. In some of the area of the hill the weed abatement had not been completed," he continued, which makes our work more difficult and it reduces our ability to protect structures ."

Mentink said the fire is suspicious and he anticipates that investigators will be able to determine the cause by mid-week.

According to Moraga Mayor David Trotter, Lou Fancher’s ten-year old son Nicholas Johnson was the first to spot the fire on the middle of the hill behind the Rheem Theatre.  He and his mother heard a popping sound, like a fire cracker.  "It took me a minute to call 911 when my son told me he saw the smoke," said Fancher, "but the fire had already multiplied by five."  

Fancher was so concerned about the speed of the spreading fire that she left her Ascot Drive apartment with her son to watch the efforts of the fire department from the safety of the Rheem Center.   "It took them about an hour to put it out," she said, "and it still got very close to residences."  

Firefighters continued to watch for hotspots late into the night. "The deployment of forces and the efficiency was very impressive," said Fancher, "we thanked the firemen for all their work."