Gonzales, CA…On Monday August 7, 2017 CAL FIRE received reports of a wildland fire in the Southern region of Monterey County. Firefighters from CAL FIRE along with fire crews from Correctional Training Facility(CTF) along with The City of Gonzales Fire Department personnel responded to the 32000 block of River Rd.

Upon arrival firefighters were able to confirm brush and grass burning within the dry creek bed. Crews were able to minimize the spread of the fire with an aggressive fire attack. The forward progress of the fire was stopped with the help of precision airdrops from a CAL FIRE airtanker sent to fight the fire. Total number of resources at fire e included, (1) Air Attack, (1) Airtanker, (1) Helicopter with crew, (3) Fire Engines, (1) Water tender, (1) Patrol, (1) Fire Crew, (1) Investigator, and (1) PIO

Crews found grass and brush burning in a dry creek bed that was surrounded on both sides by vineyards. The fire was contained at 2.3 acres. Crews were expected to remain on at the location for the next 3-4 hours for mop-up to ensure the fire is completely extinguished. At one the fire threating numerous acres of valuable vineyard, but as a result of the extreme accuracy by the CAL FIRE Airtanker pilots the fire was stopped within the drainage and away from the surrounding vineyards.

Fire Investigators were able to determine the cause of the fire to be a projectile from a hand-fired “Bird Bomb”. A device used to keep birds away from crops. A piece of the projectile was carried into dry grass on the edge of the vineyard

Aft The fire size was determined to be 2.3 acres.

CAL FIRE would like to remind the public to use extreme caution while working in and dry grass and brush.
San Benito-Monterey Unit CAL FIIRE NEWS RELEASE

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection