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The blaze drew a large response to knock down flames before they spread including to residences on Glade Drive; the fire started accidentally in the yard of a Bradley Street home. |
SPFD: Canyon fire knocked down before it spreads to homes
August 07, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Firefighters knocked down a small but potentially disastrous brush fire in a Santa Paula canyon Monday night about an hour after it started, a firefight described by an official as a “great save.”
The August 3 fire was reported about 6:40 p.m. in the 1600 block of Dickenson Road north of Santa Paula Street, a blaze started by manned equipment that spread to nearby brush.
Santa Paula Fire was first on the scene of the blaze that occurred in an unincorporated area just beyond city limits; Ventura County Fire and Ventura City Fire companies also responded, as did a dozer, hand crew and other support equipment.
A Ventura County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit helicopter reportedly returning from working the Chorro Fire north of Ojai reportedly came upon the scene and joined the firefight by dropping water on the blaze.
“Our engine company was right there,” when the fire was reported said Santa Paula Fire Chief Rick Araiza, Santa Paula Airport was shut down for emergency use.
Janice Dickenson said she and her husband Bruce were home when they were notified about the fire on neighboring property.
“Our son and his girlfriend live on the ranch near the property,” and a visitor on the way to visit the couple “came across it and called 911…then she called us.”
Dickenson immediately made sure the main gate was open for easy access for fire personnel.
Firefighters, said Dickenson, “Were awesome, all of them were.”
Dickenson said, “It had just started to come into our side of the property when firefighters got the hose on the flames and stopped it,” before the fire could reach homes on Glade Drive.
“The firefighters did a great job by all jumping on it,” noted Dickenson.
Luckily there was little wind to push the fire, which was knocked down at about 7:40 p.m. after burning less than an acre.
The quick knockdown of the blaze said Araiza, “Was a real good save…with all the dry brush and the heat it could have been much, much worse.”
No injuries were reported.
