4-Alarm Grass Fire In Vallejo Burns Homes, Prompts Evacuations Near Hanns Park
VALLEJO (CBS SF) -- A four-alarm grass fire burned near homes in north Vallejo, prompting evacuations and damaging two homes Tuesday evening.
The fire started by creeping up the hillside from Hanns Park. It was first reported shortly before 6 p.m. Ten homes were damaged and 20 homes were evacuated, though the exact number of residents was not specified.
Seven Vallejo companies called in to help battle the fire, which was 100% contained by around 8 p.m. Crews will remain on scene conducting mop up operations throughout the evening, fire officials said.
Mutual aid was called in to battle the blaze from Benicia, Crockett, American Canyon and Fairfield, which included some air support to drop pink flame retardant over the area.
Resident John Lee said he could see the flames inching up to his yard. His boat burned, but his home was spared, in part because of what he did to prepare for hot, dry days like Tuesday.
"I was like, I'm the first house that's gonna burn, so I cut back all them trees myself and thank God I did, because it would have had more fuel right next to my house," Lee said.
Firefighters said despite sweltering temperatures, there was one thing on their side:
"Thankfully, the wind wasn't as bad as it could've been. We might've had a different outcome if that was the case," said Daniel Gutierrez of the Vallejo Fire Department.
A KPIX 5 viewer sent a video of the smoke that could be seen along Highway 37.
The area behind the two damaged homes has lot of oak trees and fences, which are "mostly held together with railroad ties," Vallejo Fire said.
