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Firefighters respond to fire burning in Paso Robles riverbed

Paso Riverbed Fire
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PASO ROBLES, Calif. - Multiple agencies responded to a fire in the riverbed Friday evening. They were called to the area of Niblick Road at about 5:45 p.m.

Paso Robles police say traffic was blocked on South River Road from 13th to Navajo.

The fire started near Navajo Avenue.

The first Battalion Chief at the scene reported a half acre of grass burning in the riverbed and moving at a moderate rate of spread.

Due to the hot, dry conditions and significant overgrowth in the Salinas Riverbed, the fire spotted and created two more fires. Ten acres burned, according to the fire department.

A nearby resident said he took action before firefighters arrived.

"We saw the flames at the end of the block. It was just starting at the end of the block down here. So we immediately got our hoses out and ran out with our hoses and started sprinkling down the brush along the side here to keep it from coming to our homes over here," Paso Robles resident Jim Fotinakes said.

A total of 70 firefighters helped to bring the situation under control.

Firefighters called for aircraft but someone was flying a drone in the area. The aircraft had to be sent back to the airport.

The fire departments wants to remind the public not to fly drones while fire aircraft are operating.

The fire was contained at approximately 7:30 p.m.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Article Topic Follows: San Luis Obispo County

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Julia Nguyen

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Anikka Abbott

Anikka Abbott is a weather anchor and reporter for News Channel 3-12. To learn more about Anikka, click here.

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