SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. — Firefighters have got a handle on a grass fire that flared up in a rural area on the far southeast side of Sacramento on Friday.
Crews with the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department were called out to the scene near Bradshaw Road and Vintage Park Drive – near the small census-designated community of Vineyard – just after 2:30 p.m.
Authorities closed Bradshaw Road around the scene as firefighters tried to get containment on the fire.
Just after 3 p.m., fire officials said they had stopped forward progress on the fire and are starting to mop up hotspots. The fire is estimated to have burned about 27 acres of land.
No structures were destroyed, and no injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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.
