CLAYTON – An evacuation warning was issued Friday afternoon in unincorporated Clayton after a wildfire broke out near Morgan Territory and quickly swelled to more than 50 acres, authorities said.
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Dubbed the Morgan Fire, the blaze ignited around 3:15 p.m. near the intersection of Morgan Territory and Marsh Creek roads, according to the Cal Fire Santa Clara Unit.
As of 4:45 p.m., the fire had consumed 51 acres, down from an earlier estimate of 125 acres, and was 0% contained, authorities said. Cal Fire described the fire’s rate of spread as “moderate.”
Residents between Morgan Territory and Mount Diablo state parks – in zones CCC-249 and CCC-250 – were told to prepare to evacuate. In an advisory, the Contra Costa County Warning System said residents should gather important items they can carry, including medications, baby supplies, money, important papers and photos.
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Fire crews work on extinguishing the Morgan Fire in unincorporated Contra Costa County, Calif., on Friday, July 17, 2026. The fire was reported around 2:53 pm as a two-acre vegetation fire west of Morgan Territory Road. The fire quickly escalated prompting evacuations near the fire zone. As of 5 pm the fire was estimated to be around 50.8 acres. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
A helicopter refills their water tanks from a wateringhole while battling the Morgan Fire in unincorporated Contra Costa County, Calif., on Friday, July 17, 2026. The fire was reported around 2:53 pm as a two-acre vegetation fire west of Morgan Territory Road. The fire quickly escalated prompting evacuations near the fire zone. As of 5 pm the fire was estimated to be around 50.8 acres. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
A helicopter drops water while battling the Morgan Fire in unincorporated Contra Costa County, Calif., on Friday, July 17, 2026. The fire was reported around 2:53 pm as a two-acre vegetation fire west of Morgan Territory Road. The fire quickly escalated prompting evacuations near the fire zone. As of 5 pm the fire was estimated to be around 50.8 acres. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Residents watch as fire crews arrive to battle the Morgan Fire in unincorporated Contra Costa County, Calif., on Friday, July 17, 2026. The fire was reported around 2:53 pm as a two-acre vegetation fire west of Morgan Territory Road. The fire quickly escalated prompting evacuations near the fire zone. As of 5 pm the fire was estimated to be around 50.8 acres. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
A Cal-Fire C-130 airtanker drops fire retardant while battling the Morgan Fire in unincorporated Contra Costa County, Calif., on Friday, July 17, 2026. The fire was reported around 2:53 pm as a two-acre vegetation fire west of Morgan Territory Road. The fire quickly escalated prompting evacuations near the fire zone. As of 5 pm the fire was estimated to be around 50.8 acres. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
“No evacuation has been ordered at this time, but it is possible one may become necessary,” the notice stated.
By 5:15 p.m., a retardant line was in place around 75% of the fire perimeter, authorities said.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
Crews from both Cal Fire and the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District were battling the blaze.
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The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Check back for updates.
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