Paso Robles News|Tuesday, March 19, 2024
You are here: Home » Top Stories » Update: River Fire that destroyed or damaged 11 homes is now contained, evacuation order lifted
  • Follow Us!

Update: River Fire that destroyed or damaged 11 homes is now contained, evacuation order lifted 

Fire in Paso Robles, CA

A burned home on Tuesday morning at Capitol Hill Drive and Almond Street in Paso Robles.

 

–The River Fire, which broke out in the Salinas Riverbed Monday afternoon, has been contained, the City of Paso Robles reports. The blaze burned 15 acres, destroyed two homes, and caused damage to nine others.

The city’s evacuation order was lifted at 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. “Residents may begin returning to their homes at that time,” the city report said. Street closures may still be in effect as utility crews continue to work in the area. Identification will be required to enter any areas where street closures remain.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Paso Robles Police Department at (805) 237-6464.

The American Red Cross has been assisting residents day and night. “We assisted seven individuals last night with shelter,” said Red Cross spokeswoman Nicole Maul. Residents were offered local hotel rooms and food in the morning. “Since we started yesterday, we’ve had about 15 volunteers assisting,” she said. “Today we’re evaluating who needs help and how we can best assist especially as we’re seeing the damage.”


Update Tuesday, 8 a.m.:

Two homes destroyed, nine more structures damaged from Salinas Riverbed fire

The remains of a home smoldering Tuesday morning at Capitol Hill Drive and Creston Road in Paso Robles

The remains of a home smoldering Tuesday morning at Capitol Hill Drive and Creston Road in Paso Robles.

Over five hundred evacuated, roads remain closed in Capitol Hill neighborhood

–A fire that started in the Salinas Riverbed and spread to nearby homes is now 60-percent contained at 15 acres. Evacuations were still in place overnight after the fire broke out near the Salinas Riverbed Monday afternoon. The blaze started at 1:55 p.m., jumped South River Road near Creston Road in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, prompting the evacuation of 559 homes.

Two homes were destroyed, and nine additional structures were damaged, according to the City of Paso Robles. Smoke filled the skies of Paso Robles for miles on Monday afternoon.

The evacuation order spanned across several neighborhoods in Paso Robles at one point late Monday afternoon. Image posted by Cal Fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, the Paso Robles Police Department said.We have arson investigators on scene,” police said.  Anybody with information is urged to call the police.

The Paso Robles Fire Department was checking downed power lines on Monday evening.These are very dangerous and the search must be conducted methodically and safely,” police said.  The fire department was also checking for hot spots.With the winds, we do not want this to kick off again.”

By 7:20 p.m. on Monday, the fire was estimated to be 10% contained, and forward progress has been stopped, the city said.

Creston Road is closed Tuesday at Ferro Lane as PG&E crews worked on damaged utility poles.

The fire was contained overnight. At 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Creston Road was still closed from Ferro Lane to River Road, as PG&E crews worked on damaged utility poles. PG&E reported a power outage in the area with 2300 affected customers. Power was restored by Tuesday morning, the city reports.

Remaining street closures include River Road from Creston to Navajo, Capitol Hill, Elm Court, and Almond Street. The evacuation order was updated Monday night to include the reduced area bound by the current street closures and effects 98 households, the city reports.

Red Cross volunteers paso robles, ca

Red Cross volunteers on Monday afternoon staff an evacuation center at 270 Scott Street. About 40 vehicles were in the parking lot.

The Red Cross evacuation center remained open through the night at the Paso Robles Senior Center, 270 Scott Street. The North County Animal Hospital is able to assist with animal evacuations and can be reached at (805) 238-5882.

A car in the Capitol Hill neighborhood was covered with fire retardant dropped by fire fighting planes on Monday afternoon.

A car in the Capitol Hill neighborhood was covered with fire retardant dropped by fire fighting planes on Monday afternoon.


Original report, Monday at 4 p.m.:

Video: Multiple homes ablaze, evacuations ordered, roads closed from Salinas Riverbed fire

Fire in paso robles, ca

Firefighters work to extinguish a residential property on fire in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Paso Robles off Creston Road.

A home engulfed in flames

A home engulfed in flames in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Paso Robles.

–A vegetation fire started at about 1:55 p.m. Monday afternoon in the Salinas Riverbed and has forced evacuations of Paso Robles neighborhoods. Multiple properties are engulfed in flames as the fire jumped across River Road into the Capitol Hill neighborhood off Creston Road. Hundreds of residents are being evacuated.

Several fire fighting agencies with over 100 personnel are responding to the blaze. There are multiple fire crews, engines, dozers, water tenders on the scene, with planes and helicopters dropping fire retardant from above.

The Paso Robles Police Department has ordered evacuations in Capitol Hill, River Road, Navajo Road, Creston Road, Shannon Hill, Elm Court, Walnut Drive, and Rolling Hill, Montbello Oaks neighborhoods from Kleck Road all the way to Highway 46 East. Police said residents “Need to Evacuate Now!”

River Road is Closed from Navajo to 13th and Union to Kleck Road. Creston Road is closed from the 13th Street bridge to Walnut Drive.

Local resident Paul Viborg was on the scene with his company’s water tender and said, “This is Paso Robles’ Chernobyl,” because of the dire warnings given by local residents over the fire dangers of Salinas Riverbed over the past several years.

Pacific Gas and Electric company reports that power is out to more than 2,300 homes due to the fire. PG&E work trucks were in the area evaluating the situation.

Firefighters working to stop the spread of the fire in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Firefighters working to stop the spread of the fire in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Paso Robles.

The intersection of Creston and River roads in Paso Robles is closed

The intersection of Creston and River roads in Paso Robles is closed as smoke fills the area.

Two evacuation centers are being opened, one at the Paso Robles Veteran’s Hall, 240 Scott Street, and the Senior Center, 270 Scott Street, in Paso Robles. North County Animal Hospital has offered assistance with boarding evacuated pets. Call (805) 238-5882 for more information.

Map of areas evacuated in Paso Robles

Map of areas evacuated in Paso Robles due to Salinas Riverbed fire. Map issued by City of Paso Robles at 4 p.m. on Monday.

 

This is a developing story. More updates will be posted.


Red Cross volunteers assisting with evacuation

American Red Cross volunteers are now assisting with the evacuation point at the Paso Robles Vets Hall, 240 Scott St in Paso Robles. “It is important for your audience to know that if they do not feel safe that everyone is welcome at the evacuation point,” says Nicole Maul with the American Red Cross. “We will have snacks and water,” she said.

The Red Cross issued local residents tips:

  • A wildfire can spread very quickly, leaving you little time to get to safety. Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice and obey all evacuation orders from officials.
  • Back your car into the garage or park it outside, facing the direction of your evacuation route.
    Confine pets to one room, so you can find them if you need to evacuate quickly.
  • Limit exposure to smoke and dust. Keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors to prevent outside smoke from getting in.
  • Don’t use anything that burns, such as candles, fire places and gas stoves.
  • Don’t return home until officials say it’s safe to do so.
  • Inspect the roof immediately, and extinguish any sparks or embers. Wildfires may have left embers that could reignite.
  • Check your home for embers that could cause fires. Look for signs of a fire including smoke or sparks.
  • Avoid damaged or downed power lines, poles and wires.
  • Keep your animals under your direct control. Hidden embers and hot spots could burn them.
  • Wet down debris to minimize breathing in dust particles.
  • Wear leather gloves and shoes with heavy soles.
  • Throw out any food that has been exposed to heat, smoke, or soot.

 

Download the Red Cross Emergency App for real-time alerts, open shelters and expert advice on wildfires. The Emergency App includes an “I’m Safe” feature that help people check on loved ones. Search “American Red Cross” in app stores, or go to redcross.org/apps.

Share To Social Media

Comments

About the author: Publisher Scott Brennan

Scott Brennan is the publisher of this newspaper and founder of Access Publishing. Follow him on Twitter, LinkedIn, or follow his blog.