Fourth of July fire near Highway 46 may have been sparked by illegal fireworks, city says
A vegetation fire near a residential neighborhood in Paso Robles on the Fourth of July may have been caused by illegal fireworks, according to Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services.
Firefighters were dispatched to 303 Dayna Court in Paso Robles around 9:17 p.m. Tuesday, the agency said in a news release.
By the time the first unit arrived, approximately a quarter of an acre was burning near the Montebello Oaks neighborhood in open space between Kelck Road and Highway 46, the release said.
“Fortunately, weed abatement completed by the city limited the fire’s growth and allowed firefighter to safely make access,” the city said in the release.
By 11:11 p.m., the fire was fully controlled, the release said. It burned 0.69 acres in total.
“Eyewitnesses reported illegal fireworks being launched in the area prior to the fire,” the city said in the release.
The Paso Robles Police Department is investigating who is responsible for starting the fire.
Three fire engines and a battalion chief from Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services responded to the Independence Day blaze, the release said.
Two fire engines, a bulldozer a crew and a battalion chief from Cal Fire also responded, along with one fire engine from the Atascadero Fire Department, the release said.
This story was originally published July 5, 2023 at 10:32 AM.
