AROMAS—A large wildland fire in Aromas that started on July 21 charred 104 acres and was 100% contained as of Thursday, Cal Fire spokesperson Cecile Juliette said.
At 3:21pm on July 21, two fires broke out behind Graniterock’s AR Wilson Quarry east of Aromas. Cal Fire, Aromas Tri-county Fire and other agencies attacked the Anzar Fire from the ground and sky throughout the day and into July 22.
Pumped by winds and dry summer conditions, the blaze, which ate through rugged forests and brush, grew quickly, producing a huge column of brown, yellow and white smoke that dominated the sky east of Aromas. Officials issued evacuation orders for residents on Forest Lane, Harlands Way and School and Anzar roads that were lifted a day later when firefighters got a grip in the blaze.
Paul King, who lives on School Road, did not heed the evacuation warnings. Instead, he used his tractor to help save three of his neighbors’ homes.
“I saw it and smelled it start right over there,” King said as he worked on his truck on July 22 outside his home. “It built up real quick. It was harrowing. It was raining fire around here; embers falling here and there. That’s when the hillside right behind my house started burning. There were air tankers and helicopters buzzing right overhead.”
According to Cal Fire, firefighters quickly contained one fire’s progress to the north, but the second fire spread through eucalyptus groves to the south. The fire jumped across Highway 129, but progress was stopped by helicopter water drops.
Cal Fire propellor and jet air tankers took turns with helicopters, dumping water and fire retardant onto the flames which, at times, veered towards several ridgetop homes.
King said one home on School Road was engulfed in flames.
Watsonville native Rick Havens, who lives on Anzar Road and was once a firefighter, said on July 22 that he watched the cloud of smoke develop into the afternoon.
“I wasn’t worried though because there’s a good fire break up by the Graniterock conveyor belt,” he said. “It was something to watch, those helicopters coming in and scooping up water from that pond right there. They really got a jump on it quickly; I’m really pleased with how fast they got in here and, with those airdrops, knocked this thing down.”
Along with the evacuation orders, Cal Fire had also issued an evacuation warning for properties on Highway 129 between Highway 101 and Rogge Lane.
Juliette said one firefighter was injured, and Cal Fire reported that two structures had been destroyed.
On Tuesday two fire engines remained on the scene with crews tamping out hot spots.
It was initially reported that downed power lines triggered the quarry blaze, but the cause is still under investigation.
