‘Spontaneous combustion’ fire near SLO County airport prompts evacuation order
A fire that began by spontaneous combustion caused an evacuation order to be sent out to homes near the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport on Tuesday, Cal Fire San Luis Obispo spokesperson Adan Orozco told The Tribune.
According to a social media post, the fire was located on the 5200 block of Davenport Creek Road south of San Luis Obispo. The blaze began shortly after 5 p.m. when a pile of tree trimmings, grass clippings and weeds suddenly caught on fire. Witnesses saw smoke burning from the pile, and the wind then quickly spread the flames.
An evacuation order was sent out with the assistance of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office because of the fire’s close proximity to homes, Orozco said.
The fire was contained at one acre once the second or third fire engine arrived on scene, and the order was lifted around 6:15 p.m.
Rancho Oaks Drive will remain closed at Davenport Creek Road as firefighters mop up at the scene until around 8 p.m.
No injuries have been reported.
This story was originally published June 14, 2022 at 6:37 PM.
