Fire at Travis Air Force Base burns 80 unoccupied homes FAIRFIELD

The sky is aglow as seen from just outside the main gate at Travis Air Force base as a wind-driven fire consumes about 40 structures on the base on Saturday, August 16, 2008. The buildings were scheduled for demolition and were not inhabited. less The sky is aglow as seen from just outside the main gate at Travis Air Force base as a wind-driven fire consumes about 40 structures on the base on Saturday, August 16, 2008. The buildings were scheduled for ... more Photo: Kim Komenich, The Chronicle Photo: Kim Komenich, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 7 Caption Close Fire at Travis Air Force Base burns 80 unoccupied homes 1 / 7 Back to Gallery

A seven-alarm fire rampaged through part of Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield Saturday afternoon, destroying 80 unoccupied homes and threatening 300 more buildings before fire crews managed to stop the flames' advance, officials said.

It was the biggest fire in the 66-year history of Travis, base commander Mark Dillon said.

The blaze, which began around 3:15 p.m. as a small grass fire, quickly spread throughout the northwest region of the base, near the main gate. About five hours later, firefighters said the blaze was about 80 percent contained, after having burned about 750 acres.

No one was injured, Fairfield Fire Department spokeswoman Morgan Yahnke said.

The destroyed homes are part of a subdivision of enlisted personnel housing that was scheduled for demolition.

"Wow, you could see this huge, billowing column of black smoke over the city," said Amanda Sparks of Vacaville, who saw it as she drove to work Saturday evening. "It was very worrisome, because there's a lot of industrial buildings right near the fire, and if it got out of control, it could get bad very fast."

As night fell, however, it became clear that the danger would be confined.

"The fire has entirely been limited to these unoccupied homes," Yahnke said. "There have been no evacuations."

About 160 firefighters from throughout Solano County fought the fire, aided by additional crews from Napa County and from Cal Fire.

"It's been very hot, and the winds continue to be a challenge," Yahnke said in the afternoon as crews attacked the blaze.

Occupants of about 125 other buildings on the base were advised to remain indoors until the fire is out.

Colonel Dillion, the base commander, said he "couldn't be happier with the support we've received from the surrounding community - it's helped to bring the fire under control."