Grass fire catches behind East Bay high school

Students at Campolindo High School in Moraga were ushered off campus Monday afternoon when flames from a small brush fire came within a few hundred yards of the school grounds, witnesses said.

The blaze, which was burning the hillside above the school’s football field, began around 2 p.m., according to authorities. Firefighters appeared to be gaining ground on it within hours.

A helicopter works to contain a fire near Campolindo High School off of Moraga Road in Moraga, California, on Monday, June 19, 2017. A helicopter works to contain a fire near Campolindo High School off of Moraga Road in Moraga, California, on Monday, June 19, 2017. Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Gabrielle Lurie, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 33 Caption Close Grass fire catches behind East Bay high school 1 / 33 Back to Gallery

Although the campus and several homes were nearby, no damage was immediately reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, though sweltering temperatures across the Bay Area likely helped fuel the fire’s spread.

Student Adam Ting, 14, who was at water polo practice at the high school when the fire ignited, said he and his teammates watched as the skies grew darker and the fire appeared to get closer to the school.

“Over the course of two or three minutes, kids were getting out of the pool and running,” Ting said. “It was right above the football field. Ash was coming down everywhere.”

Fire crews contained the fire by 4:30 p.m. and put it out completely by 6 p.m., according to ABC 7.

Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com