Calf Fire is 65 percent contained; should be fully contained by Wednesday evening

Photos by Creig P. Sherburne

SANTA MARGARITA — After getting several 911 calls Monday, a CAL FIRE aircraft surveyed the area and found 40 acres on fire around the Highway 58 and Pozo Road area just outside of Santa Margarita.

At one point, it was estimated the fire, named the Calf Fire for Calf Canyon, to be burning 750 acres. As of press time, the fire was estimated at 640 acres with 65 percent containment.

At one point more than 900 fire personnel were on-site fighting the fire. At 9 a.m. Tuesday, there were 907 fire personnel, 73 engines, seven air tankers, three helicopters, nine bulldozers and three water tenders.

An evacuation warning was issued by CAL FIRE for Parkhill Road between Highway 58 and Seven Oaks Monday afternoon. That section of Parkhill Road was open to residents only. By 4 p.m. Monday, the evacuation was upgraded to a mandatory evacuation and it held through the night. Tuesday afternoon the evacuation was downgraded to a warning and the road open to locals only.

Fire crews were able to hold the firebreak and the fire did not spread overnight.

According to CAL FIRE, the fire was burning in grass, brush and oak woodlands. The rough terrain made it difficult for firefighters to access the fire.

As of press time, the only reported injury was a minor one to a firefighter. No structures had been damages and there had been no reports of injury or death to any animals.

A CAL FIRE spokesperson said that the fire is expected to be contained today by 7 p.m. The day crew today is expected to be smaller than Tuesday and will do mopup operations and will remain on patrol until the fire is cold.

Fire crews on scene include CAL FIRE, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, California Department of Corrections, California Youth Authority and a local government strike team made up of personnel from Templeton, SLO, Atascadero and San Miguel.

The Horse Emergency Evacuation Team also set up facilities at Templeton Live Stock Yard for evacuated animals with feed and water available on site.

An evacuation shelter has been set up at Santa Margarita Elementary School by the American Red Cross.

“The weather has been cooperating with fire suppression efforts as well,” fire commanders said.



For the complete article see the 07-18-2012 issue.

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