Firefighters Contain Brush Fire Underneath High-Voltage Power Lines In Pittsburg
PITTSBURG (KCBS)— A firefighter was injured in a three-alarm brush fire Thursday evening near power lines at the Pittsburg Power Plant, where 10th Street turns into Willow Pass Road.
An official with the the Contra Costa Fire Protection District said crews contained the fire, which burned 35-40 acres, around 7 p.m.
One firefighter suffered smoke inhalation while fighting the blaze and was hospitalized.
The blaze began to putt up thick black smoke around 4 p.m. PG&E crews were also at the scene because of the close proximity to their power plant. No structures were threatened as it is a fairly remote area, and there are no reports of injuries.
KCBS Sky 3 reporter Derek Smith said the fire was burning right underneath high-voltage transmission lines. At one point the fire came close to large fuel storage tanks, however the tanks are decommissioned, according to fire officials, and a large dirt barrier gave firefighters defensible space.
Contra Costa Fire Inspector George Laing said the fire was burning through "dense wetlands areas".
"Access is an issue for us," he said. "[The] Fire is because some of the ground is so moist, especially the wetlands."
The winds were coming out of the west, causing the fire to head towards the Delta. Laing said this helped contain the fire.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.