Fire crews have been battling a blaze
– the largest in San Benito County this fire season – started by
lightning Thursday afternoon south of Paicines that burned hundreds
of acres.
Hollister – Fire crews have been battling a blaze – the largest in San Benito County this fire season – started by lightning Thursday afternoon south of Paicines that burned hundreds of acres.
The fire had burned 440 acres of ranch land and was 50 percent contained by midday Friday, said Jan Bray, a unit information officer for CalFire. Bray said CalFire expected to have the blaze 100 percent contained by 6pm Saturday. It had threatened six structures.
The lightning that caused the fire is uncommon for San Benito County at this time of year, according to the National Weather Service.
Firefighters responded to a blaze Thursday afternoon on Quien Sabe Road, but were then called to the larger fire south of Paicines and just north of Bear Valley, CalFire Capt. Jim Dellamonica said Friday. Although the fire is not near Quien Sabe Road, CalFire kept the name, Dellamonica said.
Owners of the large, private ranch were unavailable for comment.
CalFire used 156 personnel, 19 fire engines, one bulldozer, five water tank trucks, many planes and one helicopter to battle the fire, Bray said. The helicopter was based out of the Bear Valley CalFire station in southern San Benito County.
Dellamonica said fighting the blaze – which produced flames as high as 100 feet – has been difficult. Varying winds and high temperatures have caused spotting and flare-ups, the captain said.
And with temperatures hovering around 100 degrees Thursday and approaching similar high temperatures Friday, the fire wasn’t the only worry for public safety officials.
“You start dehydrating really fast,” Dellamonica said.
CalFire crews Friday encircled the fire, using flame retardant and bulldozer lines. Many of the firefighters had been there working through Thursday night.
