Fire crews battle grass fire in Richmond

RICHMOND, Calif. - Crews battled a grass fire in Richmond near the Hilltop Mall on Tuesday.

The fire was reported shortly after 12:30 p.m. as an "exterior fire" at 3065 Richmond Parkway, according to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.

The agency said that the Richmond Fire Department requested support including from its aerial crew, Con Air 1.

A business in the area told KTVU that the wind gusts were strong and that crews appeared to be aggressively attacking the fire. Emergency crews blocked off Richmond Parkway due to the fire activity.

The fire disrupted bus service in the area. AC Transit alerted riders that, buses on its Line 71 would be making detours and would not service stops along Richmond Parkway. "Buses will still stop at Richmond Pkwy Transit Center, and at Atlas Rd & UPS Facility," AC Tranist said on Twitter.  

Contra Costa County fire officials said that crews managed to contain the fire by about 1:35 p.m. The Richmond Fire Department would remain on scene for "extensive clean-up," officials said.