Riverbed fire accidentally ignited by transients, city reports
Two transients were arrested Wednesday night after camping in the Salinas riverbed and attempting to build a warming fire that quickly got out of control, according to a report from the City of Paso Robles. There were no injuries or property damage as a result of the fire and the transients were cited and released.
Firefighters responded to the wildland fire on North River Road and extinguished it. Flames were reported as being seen in the Salinas riverbed at 8:54 p.m. where Highway 46 overpasses North River Road near River Oaks Drive.
Two Paso Robles Fire Department engines and two Cal Fire engines responded to the blaze and extinguished it. No structures were threatened by the fire. The first arriving engine reported a vegetation fire of about one-half acre. The assistance of two additional Cal Fire engines was requested. Extremely dry vegetation and a mild wind resulted in a moderate fire spread, according to a report from the city fire department.
A total of nineteen firefighters and two chief officers were able to contain the fire to approximately three acres. The fire was contained by 9:28 p.m. Firefighters spent approximately four additional hours completing extinguishment. One Cal Fire engine remained on scene overnight to take care of any remaining hot spots and ensure the fire did not rekindle.
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