WEED WHACKER CAUSED SPRING VALLEY FIRE, PLACING 50 HOMES IN JEOPARDY

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Fire official warns against use of metal blades to cut brush

June 9, 2010 (Spring Valley) – Clearing brush with a metal-bladed weed whacker set off sparks which caused today’s four-acre blaze on Dictionary Hill in Spring Valley, said Leonard Villareal, spokesman for the San Miguel Fire District.

 

“Metal blades are not a good idea for cutting weeds,” he said, adding that plastic strips or blades are safer. Ironically, clearing brush, while important to create defensible space, can actually cause a fire if caution is not taken.  Villareal also warned against spilling flammable gasoline while refilling gas-powered weed cutters.

 

Today's far resulted n evacuations ordered including 19 homes in immediate danger and about 50 homes in jeopardy, Villareal said. Fortunately, no homes were destroyed, though two balconies were damaged and other minor damage occurred to fences and a stucco wall.
 

“In that area we saw a very good example of what we try to preach, which is the importance of defensible space,” said Villareal. “Some of these homes had good clearance under balconies, while others had a lot of growth”

 

He said calm weather and proximity of a reservoir helped to bring the blaze under control quickly, with more than 60 firefighters and two helicopters bringing water from a nearby water source. He said it was fortunate that no other fires were burning in the region, enabling a rapid response to douse the fire.
 


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