Suisun City fire: 11 homes burned, animals set free from wildlife center

Firefighters cut the chains and locks at the center to free the foxes, rabbits and coyotes.

A wildfire that broke out Wednesday afternoon in Suisun City burned more than 300 acres, destroyed homes and forced evacuation of a neighborhood near downtown.

The Wildlife Fire was reported at 3:26 p.m. in brush at the south end of Kellogg Street, near the Suisun Wildlife Center, Fire Chief Justin Vincent said.

In 100-degree heat and windy weather, the fire quickly grew to four alarms, Vincent said. Over 160 firefighters were on scene for several hours,  along with 24 engines, two aircraft, Cal Fire handcrews and bulldozers.

Residents were evacuated from a few dozen homes adjacent to the wetlands, and an evacuation center was established at Crystal Middle School.

No injuries were reported.

Eleven homes were burned: Four are destroyed, four sustained heavy exterior and interior damage, and three sustained some damage. Other structures such as sheds were also destroyed, Vincent said.

The wildlife center reported  that firefighters saved the main building and that most of the animals were safe. “We did lose a few outside rehab squirrels and three of the education birds,” the center said in a Facebook post.

Vincent said firefighters cut the chains and locks at the center to free the foxes, rabbits and coyotes.

Some of the center’s outbuildings suffered extensive damage.

The wildlife center rescues and rehabilitates wild animals and runs an environmental education program for children.

— Bay City News Service contributed to this report.