Portion of Vineyard Damaged in Fire
Santa Barbara County Fire Department has a heavy brush fire contained on the 2400 block of Tepusquet Road in Santa Maria.
The fire broke out just before 1:30 p.m. on Thursday. County Fire said a portion a of vineyard was burned. Exhaust from a tractor working on the vineyard sparked the blaze.
Fire spokesperson Captain David Sadecki said one firefighter was transported to the hospital by ambulance with a moderate second degree burn on his lower leg.
California Highway Patrol reports the fire was half way between Santa Maria Mesa Road and Highway 166.
Fire officials said the fire spread uphill at a moderate to fast rate of speed. The blaze did not grow any larger than 20 acres.
Numerous resources were on scene including two air-tankers. The U.S. Forest Service and the Vandenberg Hotshots assisted on this incident.
There were about 200 firefighters on scene batting the blaze.
Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue team was sent to the fire to help with evacuations if necessary.
A reverse 911 call was sent out to residents in the area to warn them of the fire.
No structures were threatened and no evacuation orders were given.
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