ANTIOCH, CA — A fast-moving fire that started as a vegetation blaze and later pushed into a nearby material storage area sent a thick column of black smoke over the Highway 4 corridor Tuesday afternoon, prompting a large response from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.
The fire, now being called the Willow Fire, was first reported around 3:43 PM near the end of Slatten Ranch Road. Con Fire crews were dispatched quickly as smoke began rising and became visible to residents across several nearby communities.
How the Fire Spread
The blaze started in vegetation north of the railroad tracks behind the Antioch eBART station. Firefighters initially worked to knock down flames burning through dry brush and grass, but the fire soon spread into a material storage yard where combustible items were stacked. Once those materials caught fire, the flames intensified and produced the large black smoke plume that could be seen for miles.
Crews on scene were ordered to stay upwind of the fire to avoid breathing in the smoke, since burning stored materials can release toxic fumes that are more hazardous than those from a typical grass fire.
Con Fire responded with a sizable team that included multiple fire engines, several command staff, helicopter support, a bulldozer, a water tender, and additional units that assisted with containment and protection of surrounding property.
The scale of the response reflected concerns that the fire could keep spreading given the mix of vegetation and combustible storage material in the area.
Smoke Seen Across East County, Fire Now Contained
Within roughly an hour, firefighters made significant progress. Public updates indicated the fire had burned about two acres before forward progress was stopped.
By around 4:35 PM, the fire was reported to be largely contained, though crews likely remained on scene afterward to fully extinguish hot spots and monitor the area for flare-ups.
No injuries have been reported based on the information currently available. The cause of the Willow Fire has not been released and remains under investigation by fire officials.
This is not the first time the area near Slatten Ranch Road and the eBART station has dealt with vegetation fires. The location has seen previous incidents, some of which spread beyond grass and brush to involve structures, vehicles, and stored building materials.
At this time, no connection has been established between those past fires and Tuesday’s Willow Fire.
The smoke plume drew attention from drivers and residents throughout the Highway 4 corridor, with visibility reported in Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood, and near the Highway 160 interchange. Many in the area took to social media to share photos and videos of the rising smoke as word of the fire spread.
Residents in East Contra Costa County are encouraged to stay alert for updates from Con Fire, especially as investigators work to determine what sparked the blaze. Anyone with information about the cause is asked to reach out to fire officials.
Further updates will be provided as more details become available from Con Fire and local authorities.
