ELK GROVE, Calif. — Crews battled a grass fire that threatened homes and prompted evacuations in the Elk Grove area, Wednesday afternoon.
According to the Cosumnes Fire Department, the fire flared up along Sheldon Road, between Waterman Road and Bradshaw Road, around 3:30 p.m.
The fire grew to about 73 acres in size and mutual aid was been requested.
About 20 homes along Bradshaw Road were threatened and evacuations were issued in coordination with Elk Grove Police officers.
"I was rooting for them," said Tammy Meuser. "I'm like use our tax dollars!! Haha! We've been here 30 years use our tax dollars!!"
Tammy and her husband Matt were babysitting their five grandkids when the fire started. Terrified of the flames, she ditched their car seats in the rush to evacuate.
"It was really scary," said Meuser.
Cosumnes Deputy Fire Chief Dan Quiggle told ABC10 neighbors in the area did a great job of creating a defensible space, keeping the fire from spreading more easily.
Matt Meuser and his teenage grandson stayed behind to wet down their fence and trailer. The family is thankful the Consumnes Fire Department, Sac Metro Fire and the other agencies were able to save their home.
"We're very blessed they were able to get this under control," said Matt.
Crews mopped up the outer edges of the fire to protect lives and property as they continued attacking the center of the fire, Quiggle said. Around 6:15 p.m., officials said firefighters had stopped the forward progress of the fire.
No injuries were reported. Some outbuildings in the area did suffer damage from the fire, but no homes were damaged. A cause has not been determined.
WILDFIRE PREPS
According to Cal Fire, 2020 was one of the most severe fire seasons on record as 9,917 wildfires burned 4.2 million acres. Over 9,000 structures were destroyed, and 31 people (civilians and firefighters) were killed.
California also experienced its first "Gigafire" because of the August Complex Fire, burning over 1 million acres by itself. Four of California's top five largest wildfires in state history happened in 2020.
If you live in a wildfire-prone zone, Cal Fire suggests creating a defensible space around your home. Defensible space is an area around a building in which vegetation and other debris are completely cleared. At least 100 feet is recommended.
The Department of Homeland Security suggests assembling an emergency kit that has important documents, N95 respirator masks, supplies to grab with you if you’re forced to leave at a moment’s notice. The agency also suggests signing up for local warning system notifications and know your community’s evacuation plans best to prepare yourself and your family in cases of wildfires.
Some counties use Nixle alerts to update residents on severe weather, wildfires, and other news. To sign up, visit www.nixle.com or text your zip code to 888777 to start receiving alerts.
PG&E customers can also subscribe to alerts via text, email, or phone call. If you're a PG&E customer, visit the Profile & Alerts section of your account to register.
