A person was injured in a two-alarm brush fire that broke out in Potrero Hill this afternoon, prompting the evacuation of nine blocks of the neighborhood.
The fire was first reported at 949 Connecticut St. (at Wisconsin) around 1 p.m. SFFD spokesperson Jonathan Baxter said it was sparked by "illegal fireworks from multiple juveniles."
Driven by winds of 25-40 mph, the fire consumed about two and a half acres of timber and brush until it was contained, just after 2 p.m.
While no structures were damaged by the blaze, neighbors on the surrounding blocks got a scare. At 1:25 p.m., residents on the 100-300 blocks and 1500-1600 of Dakota Street were ordered to evacuate their homes.
At 1:56 p.m., the order was expanded to the 800-900 blocks of Missouri Street and the 1500-1600 blocks of 23rd Street.
A temporary evacuation shelter was created at Dakota and 25th streets, with residents allowed to return to their homes at 2:39 p.m.
Baxter said the injured person, an adult, was treated on the scene for smoke inhalation and released in stable condition.
Aerial footage of the blaze showed thick plumes of smoke fanning out over the city. Baxter noted that the area contained heavy brush and eucalyptus trees, both of which are highly flammable.
UPDATE: Firefighters appear to be gaining the upper hand in the battle against a brush fire in San Francisco's Potrero Hill neighborhood. Watch live aerial coverage: https://t.co/SYk80KUbwa pic.twitter.com/lNuBpAo1Px
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) June 5, 2020
In response to the fire, the 19-Polk bus line was also rerouted in both directions, the SFMTA said.
Baxter said that the SFFD and police are investigating the cause of the fire, and searching for potential suspects.