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Forward Spread Of Fire In Belmont's San Juan Canyon Stopped; Evacuation Order Lifted

BELMONT (CBS SF) -- Crews have contained a four-alarm vegetation fire that broke out in the Belmont hills on Monday afternoon, threatening several homes and the evacuation order has been lifted.

According to officials, the fire broke out on the 2900 block of Alhambra Drive in the city's San Juan Canyon area shortly before 4 p.m.

Belmont Police announced shortly after 4:15 p.m. that San Juan Canyon from East Laurel Creek Road to Cipriani Boulevard had been evacuated due to the fire.

The fire quickly grew to four alarms. Video from Chopper 5 showed the fire burning close to homes.

Belmont San Juan Canyon Fire
Chopper 5 over a fire burning near homes in San Juan Canyon in Belmont on September 21, 2020. (CBS)

Shortly after 5 p.m., the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department announced that forward progress of the fire had been stopped. Crews would remain on scene to extinguish any hot spots.

"I was at my dining room table on a Zoom call and I saw smoke coming out of the canyon behind," said said evacuee Tim Roberson. "Went out back and it was about 100 meters from the back yard. I had a pool pump and a big hose, so I was soaking the ground out behind my house, just trying to help."

Officials said the blaze charred about 2 acres. No injuries were reported and no homes were damaged, but the fire did burn a retaining wall, along with some fencing, according to police.

The evacuation order was lifted at 9 p.m., according to police, but the 2900 block of Alhambra Drive will remain closed.

Police said they will be stepping up patrols in the area Monday night.

The cause of the fire has not been determined.

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