Crews prevent flames from spreading to trees, structures
By Roni Gehlke
Contra Costa Times
OAKLEY — A firecracker sparked a fire near the Big Break Regional Trail on Saturday that burned a debris pile not far from the site of the city's new wastewater treatment plant, a park official said.
The fire broke out about 1:30 p.m., sending a column of black smoke drifting eastward. It was reported to the East Bay Regional Park District by a bicyclist riding on the trail, park district employee James Lee said.
The district emptied its own water tender in an attempt to extinguish the flames before East Contra Costa Fire District crews arrived about a half-hour later with their own water tender and two engines. Firefighters mopped up for about an hour.
Lee said it was fortunate that flames missed large trees that line the rest area and provide shade for nearby picnic tables.
The park district has been posting signs warning about fire dangers presented by the windy June weather, Lee said.
Saturday's fire occurred about a quarter-mile from the construction site of the new Ironhouse Sanitary District wastewater plant, which is scheduled to open next year. There was no other damage, and no one was injured.
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