CalFire Successfully Contains 80-acre Fire in Santa Maria Riverbed

Firefighters from multiple agencies successfully contained a vegetation fire that erupted in the Santa Maria Riverbed, located in southern San Luis Obispo County, California, on Thursday. The blaze was initially reported late in the afternoon and posed significant risks due to the dry conditions in the region.

According to a spokesperson for CalFire, identified as Ryan Greed, the fire began at approximately 4:30 p.m. and quickly spread across grassy areas within the riverbed, covering around 70 acres by 5:20 p.m. The site of the fire, situated on the east side of Highway 101, near the intersections of Highway 166 and Bull Canyon Road, prompted a swift response from local fire authorities.

To combat the rapidly spreading flames, CalFire deployed both ground crews and aerial resources, including air tankers and helicopters. These assets played a crucial role in suppressing the blaze, which had expanded to approximately 80 acres by the time it was fully contained at 8:45 p.m. the same evening, as confirmed by a social media post on X from the agency.

In addition to CalFire, assistance was provided by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department and the U.S. Forest Service, who collaborated in this firefighting effort. Despite the potential hazards posed by the fire, emergency services reported no injuries or damage to nearby structures.

The San Luis Obispo County Fire Department acknowledged the collaborative efforts, emphasizing the importance of inter-agency cooperation in dealing with such emergencies. Further updates regarding the incident are expected should new information surface.