Weed clearing causes fire in open field near Atascadero
No property damage or injuries reported in vegetation fire
– A vegetation fire broke out on May 6 at 10905 Escondido Road in Atascadero after a resident using a weedwhacker to clear weeds unintentionally sparked flames in an open field, according to a news release from the city.
The Atascadero Fire Department responded to the fire at 2:14 p.m. after it was reported by the property owner. Two engines and a battalion chief from the city responded, along with one engine and a battalion chief from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, one engine from Paso Robles, one engine from the State Hospital, and one engine from Templeton. A total of 12 personnel responded to the incident.
Fire crews arrived to find a 50-by-200-foot vegetation fire burning in a mix of abated and uncut grass. The fire was spreading slowly uphill, driven by wind, and had extended into the branches of a downed oak tree. Firefighters used chainsaws to access the burning branches.
Crews brought the fire under control within 10 minutes. No injuries to civilians or emergency personnel were reported. There were no unusual problems during the response.
The fire originated in an open field, and the cause was determined to be from weed clearing by the resident.
For more information, call the Atascadero Fire Department at (805) 461-5070.
