MARTINEZ (KRON)–A 51-acre grass fire was reported Sunday afternoon near Highway 4 in Martinez.
Flames were just feet away from a barn that was filled with horses and fresh hay early Sunday.
When a grandmother saw the flames, she called 9-1-1 just in time.
The Silveira family has owned this cattle ranch for five generations and for a while on Sunday, they didn’t know if it would be around for a sixth.
The fire near North Berry Road and Cummings Skyway started at about 4:30 p.m. and spread quickly.
“When our crews arrived they found fire on both sides of the freeway, both the north and the south side.” Contra Costa County fire marshall Robert Marshall.
Eventually, the flames scorched 51 acres, and led to a complete, temporary shutdown of Highway 4.
“We know there is a downed powerline that was in the incident,” Marshall said. “What we don’t know at this point is whether or not the powerline fell and caused the fire, or if the fire caused the powerline to fall.”
After a little more than four hours, fire crews from five different agencies had the fire completely contained.
“Obviously, it’s a very dry time of year, and so we were really appreciative,” said the son of the ranch owner Steve Silveria.
Fortunately, for the Silveira family, no structures were burned, and there were no injuries to humans or animals.
“I praise the firemen because they were on top of it,” said ranch owner Joe Silveria. “This could have been a big thing, so everyone worked together as a unit and they put this thing out and thank god.”
Despite the fire being contained, fire crews will still be working out in Martinez for another two or three hours, mopping up hot spots and getting a line completely around the fire.