Smoky skies and frayed nerves after two Clayton brush fires

Two brush fires just hours apart left Claytonians with frayed nerves and smoky skies as the second month of fire season drew to a close.

The first fire started around 10:30 Monday night, June 29 on Marsh Creek Road directly across from the Clayton Palms mobile home park. Residents of the park attempted to extinguish the fire with fire extinguishers, but the wind whipped the flames up the hillside. Engines from East County Fire Protection District, CalFire and ConFire responded.

The crews contained the fire to 15 acres with no property damage. The fire burned throughout the night, singeing power poles and causing a power outage. The cause of the fire is under investigation, but a nearby resident reported hearing fireworks just before the fire started.

Tall grass danger

A second fire in downtown Clayton June 30 burned about five acres on Pine Hollow Court, directly adjacent to Mt. Diablo Elementary School. The property is owned by the Clayton Community Church The fire was sparked when a worker was mowing the field and hit something hidden in the high grass.

Charmetta Mann, who lives across the street, was inside her house and heard the noise around 11:30 a.m.

“I went outside to look and all I saw was smoke.” She called 911 and Clayton PD officer Alan Pike, who was already in the area, responded with fire extinguishers, keeping the fire at bay until ConFire arrived with engines, pump trucks and bulldozers.

Mann and her neighbors have been concerned all year about the high grass so close to homes.
The grass was shoulder high,” Mann said. ConFire’s weed abatement deadline was June 1.

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