49.6 F
San Benito
March 18, 2024

Calfire wrapping up work on grass fire

The grass fire in the hills south of San Juan Bautista was mostly contained at mid-day Sunday, and crews should wrap up their work today, a Calfire captain told San Benito Live.

See San Benito Live video from Saturday fire scene below this story

The fire started around 2:30 p.m. Saturday and had spread to 60 acres by that evening, but Calfire was confident at the time crews had a handle on any potential for the fire spreading. On Sunday, Capt. Tim Berget with Calfire said it was at least 90 percent contained and the air attacks had ceased. Berget on Sunday said Calfire still estimated the fire at 60 acres.

“We have some people out there just pulling their hoses out, securing a little bit of the line,” he said, referring to Calfire ensuring there aren’t any remaining hot spots that could flare up. “I think we’re pushing 90 percent (containment) right now, just to be safe.”

With windy conditions Saturday afternoon, smoke blew over much of the San Juan Bautista and Hollister areas, prompting many residents’ curiosity on social media about the incident. The fire was in the hills along San Juan Grade Road near Crazy Horse Canyon Road just south of the San Benito County line.

A Calfire spokesman Saturday said third-party reports indicated a blown transformer occurred in the area right before the fire started.

The fire was reported at 2:38 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. Shortly after, Calfire crews were on scene fighting the fire with bulldozers, helicopters and planes dropping retardant on the hills in the location about a 20-minute drive from San Juan Bautista through the mountains.

-Kollin Kosmicki

SOCIAL MEDIA

5,035FansLike
272FollowersFollow
1,077FollowersFollow