Grassfire Update: Fire Grows to More Than 1,000 Acres, Smoke Advisory Issued

Bay City News Service

Update 3:58 p.m.: A grass fire that started south of state Highway 12 in the Suisun City area this afternoon has grown to more than 1,000 acres, a Cal Fire
spokesman said.

The eight-alarm fire is about 50 percent contained, Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant said as of 3:30 p.m. today.

At least one structure has been destroyed by the fire, and around five to 10 others were threatened.

The fire, which is being driven south by strong winds, triggered evacuations and road closures in the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area, according to Dixon Fire Chief Aaron McAlister.

Berlant said the large fire is one of several in the North Bay being fanned by strong winds today.

The hot, dry windy conditions have triggered red flag warnings in the area.

"This fire is evidence of what these gusty offshore winds can do and why it's so important everyone be careful out there today," Berlant said.

The fire has caused reports of smoke throughout the East Bay and even as far away as San Francisco and the Peninsula.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District this afternoon issued a smoke advisory warning Bay Area residents, especially those with asthma and other respiratory issues, to stay inside with the windows and doors closed as much as possible.

Previously:
A grass fire south of State Highway 12 in the Suisun City area this afternoon has grown to more than 500 acres and has destroyed one structure, a Solano County fire official said.

The eight-alarm fire is still growing and is only around 10 percent contained, according to Dixon Fire Chief Aaron McAlister. McAlister said it was unclear this afternoon if the structure destroyed was a residence or some type of outbuilding on a ranch.

About five to 10 other structures are still threatened by the blaze, which is traveling south and is expected to reach the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area, McAlister said.

Schoolchildren who were attending Rush Ranch in that area have been evacuated, as have various hunters and other recreational users, McAlister said.

Parts of Grizzly Island Road are also closed. Firefighters are working in dangerous conditions due to high winds and hot, dry conditions, McAlister said.

No injuries have been reported. The fire was reported to the California Highway Patrol shortly after noon in the area of state Highway 12 and Scally Road, CHP officials said. It has caused multiple reports of smoke as far away as Contra Costa County, CHP officials said.