BENICIA — A two-alarm grass fire burned about two acres in the Benicia State Recreation Area on Sunday morning.
The blaze was reported at about 11:20 am, Benicia firefighters said.
White and brown smoke could be seen from across the Carquinez Strait, and the fire charred the area near the parking entrance of the park off Columbus Parkway and the on ramp of eastbound Interstate 780.
In addition to the two acres of vegetation, the fire also damaged about 20 feet of state park fencing, firefighters said.
Firefighters were mopping up the area by about noon, and secured the area at 3:55 pm
Vallejo and Fairfield fire departments, and Contra Costa County Fire Protection District assisted at the scene, as well as by covering Benicia fire stations.
No injuries were reported, and fire investigators have ruled out natural causes to the blaze, firefighters said.
Though no physical object was found, Benicia Acting Fire Division Chief Joshua Chadwick said that the fire started a ways inside the park.
The only way it could have happened is if there was someone in there, Chadwick said.
However, investigators were unable to determine if it was started intentionally or accidentally, he added.
The Benicia State Recreation Area has been threatened with closure due to state budget cuts, but the city of Benicia has agreed to pay the state to maintain some services at the waterfront park.
Contact staff writer Irma Widjojo at
Tags: Recreation