Published July 11th , 2018
Grass fire destroys 45 acres in Moraga
By Nick Marnell
MOFD drone image Photo courtesy MOFD
A three-alarm fire burned 45 acres of dense vegetation near Campolindo High School on July 2, forcing the temporary evacuation of 20 homes along Buckingham Drive in Moraga. According to Moraga-Orinda Fire District spokesman Dennis Rein, crews from MOFD, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District and Cal Fire contained the blaze by 6:30 p.m.

Because the emergency conditions forced the closure of Moraga Road between Moraga and Lafayette, Rein said that PG&E halted its Lafayette pipeline replacement project and opened St. Mary's Road to through traffic.

"The responding crews contained the fire through aggressive direct attack and excellent cooperation from all agencies. The firefighters on the line did a great job of suppressing the fire despite the challenges presented by the terrain and steep slopes. This is a reminder of the need to mitigate fuels early in the season to minimize available fuels near our populated areas," said MOFD Fire Chief Dave Winnacker.

There were no injuries to residents or firefighters. Rein said that the fire was caused by equipment used to plow a fire break on a private road behind the homes. "If you must mow or cut weeds, do it in the morning when the ground is damp from the overnight dew," Rein said. "Don't do it in the afternoon when the fuels are the driest."


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