Update: 10-acre vegetation fire in Salinas riverbed in Paso Robles contained, road opened
Update 8:20 p.m. Friday
A 10-acre vegetation fire that broke out in the Salinas riverbed in Paso Robles Friday evening was 100% contained by around 7:30 p.m.
The fire started in the riverbed around 5:45 p.m. When the Paso Robles Battalion Chief arrived the fire was about a half acre and spreading at a moderate rate, according to a Paso Robles Department of Emergency Services news release.
The fire spotted due to hot, dry conditions and sparked two additional fires — scorching about 10 acres total.
In total, 13 fire engines, two bull dozers, two air tankers, one air attack and 70 firefighters from Paso Robles Fire and Cal Fire SLO responded to the scene, the release said.
According to the release, an illegal drone flying in the area halted air response. The Department of Emergency Services said flying drones over fires makes it more challenging to contain the fire and asked that people do not fly drones near burning areas.
Roads in the area have reopened.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to the release.
Original story
Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services is on the scene of a vegetation fire in the Salinas riverbed between 13th Street and Nahajo Avenue, according to a Paso Robles Police Department tweet.
South River Road is blocked from 13th Street to Navajo Avenue, according to Paso Robles police. The California Highway Patrol has also closed the Paso Robles Street offramp, according to the CHP traffic log.
The fire broke out in the riverbed around the 100 block of Niblick Road around 5:45 p.m. Friday, according to PulsePoint. The fire is about 3 to 4 acres, according to scanner traffic as of 6:35 p.m.
Smoke is visible in the area.
This is an ongoing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
This story was originally published July 10, 2020 at 6:40 PM.
