Firefighters gain ground on Gilroy wildfire
Containment increased from 10 to 45 percent of the 100-acre blaze
Firefighters on Tuesday appeared to have gained the upper hand against a 100-acre fire burning inside a gated golf course community in the hills west of the city.
As of 7 p.m., containment of the blaze — dubbed the Ballybunion Fire — was at 45 percent, up from 10 percent the day before, according to Cal Fire spokeswoman Pam Temmermand. No structures have been damaged or threatened.
“They made good progress last night,” Temmermand said about the firefighters Tuesday morning. “The cooler temperatures coming in from the coast helped them out a lot.”
More of the same was expected overnight Tuesday as work continued on containment lines.
The fire at the Eagle Ridge housing development in west Gilroy was reported at 7:10 p.m. Sunday and quickly spread, said Gilroy Fire Department Division Chief Mary Gutierrez.
Nearly 300 firefighters, along with three helicopters and 33 engines, are battling the blaze, according to Cal Fire.
Santa Teresa Boulevard between Miller Avenue and south of Club Drive was open Tuesday, but it could be closed depending on the needs of fire crews, according to Gilroy police. As a result, residents are urged to avoid walking or biking on that stretch of road.
On Monday, police warned residents that the air quality was poor in the city because of the fire and recommended that they “stay
indoors with the doors and windows closed for safety.”
Authorities do not yet know how the blaze started.
The fire has been particularly challenging to fight because of the hilly terrain and heavy underbrush, Temmermand said.
One injury has been reported. On Sunday night, a firefighter lost his footing and fell about 40 feet. He was taken to St. Louise Regional Hospital for an evaluation and released.