The Merrill Fire, burning in the hills of Moraga, has burned up to 70 acres early Thursday morning and has forced evacuations of at least one neighborhood, according to police and fire officials. Firefighters were able to stop forward progress and containment was at 50 percent.
The fire was first reported at 12:54 a.m. near 46 Merrill Circle North and off Sanders Ranch Road, Contra Costa County Fire Protection
District Fire Captain George Laing said. It is burning south of St. Mary's College but the university doesn't appear to be threatened at this time. However, firefighters said 140 structures are threatened.