Antioch blaze contained, burns over 500 acres

ANTIOCH, Calif. (KTVU) - Contra Costa firefighters have fully contained the large brush fire that burned over 500 acres and prompted evacuations Wednesday afternoon.

Shortly before midnight the fire was reported to be 100 contained, but crews stayed at the scene overnight to ensure there weren't any flare-ups.

The blaze quickly grew to over 500 acres Wednesday as air-tankers and helicopters made drops overhead. Flames crept dangerously close to homes and a number of residents along Grimsby Drive were evacuated.

Other cautious neighbors packed their cars and headed away from the blaze too, while others grabbed their garden hoses.

But in the end CalFire crews controlled the flames and no homes were damaged.

While residents near this fire are feeling a sense of relief Thursday morning, fire officials say this is only the beginning of what is expected to be a busy fire season throughout the state.

Just last week, CalFire battled 275 separate fires across California.

The cause of Wednesday's fire is under investigation.