The El Cerrito fire had burned across 2000 hectares, up from 640 hectares late yesterday.
Between 3000 and 4000 homes had been evacuated since midnight because they were threatened by the blaze, said Rick Griggs, an engineer with the California Department of Forestry (CDF).
Late yesterday, Richard Drew Brown was arrested and charged with “recklessly causing the fire with equipment,” said Andy Spada, a CDF spokesman. Spada said he didn’t have any details on the arrest or charges.
Southern California’s 2004 fire season was officially opened yesterday with a record temperatures above 100 degrees.
