No homes lost in Lime Ridge fire

A fast-moving grassfire on Ygnacio Rd. June 29 charred close to 300 acres and came dangerously close to homes in the Crystal Ranch and Montecito subdivisions.

The fire started about 3:30  p.m. in the Lime Ridge Open Space and quickly went to four alarms. Residents in the two subdivisions were evacuated and Ygnacio Rd. was closed until after 9 p.m. Hot spots were continuing to flare up on Saturday.

Assisting Contra Costa Fire Protection District with ground and air resources were CalFire, strike teams from Solano and Alameda counties, East Bay Regional Parks, Concord PD and Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department.

The fire was “fuel-driven,” said CalFire Division Chief Mike Marcucci. “When there’s that much dry grass, you don’t need heat and you don’t need wind.”

“The fire burned right up to homes but was stopped by a well-cleared defensible space. “Kudos to the homeowners,” he said. “It worked.”

Initial reports say the fire was caused by a vehicle backfiring.