Crime & Safety

Crews Battle Empire Fire In East Contra Costa

The blaze broke out at Empire Mine Road and Deer Valley Road.

The Empire Fire was reported at 3:09 p.m. Wednesday near Brentwood.
The Empire Fire was reported at 3:09 p.m. Wednesday near Brentwood. (Renee Schiavone/Patch)

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A wildfire broke out Wednesday in east Contra Costa County, charring at least 50 acres of vegetation not long after it began.

The so-called Empire Fire was reported shortly after 3 p.m. at Empire Mine Road and Deer Valley Road west of Brentwood. By 5:30 p.m., the vegetation fire ballooned to an estimated 225 acres and was 60 percent contained.

Firefighters with both Cal Fire and Contra Costa Fire were battling the blaze in a unified command.

Find out what's happening in Concordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

This is a developing story; refresh the page for the latest information.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.