Update: Wildfire burning near Arroyo Grande grows to 350 acres, 40% contained

Mackenzie Shuman
·2 min read
4

Update, 3:21 p.m.:

The Camino Fire was 40% contained at 350 acres as of 2:41 p.m. on Wednesday, according to a Cal Fire tweet.

Original story:

The Camino Fire burning east of Arroyo Grande grew by more than 100 acres Tuesday night as firefighters drew more containment lines around the blaze.

The wildfire in rural southern San Luis Obispo County was about 325 acres and 30% contained as of Wednesday morning, with full containment expected on July 3, according to Cal Fire.

A catalytic converter allegedly sparked the quick-moving blaze, Cal Fire reported.

The wildfire started just before noon Tuesday as a single-acre grass fire but quickly leaped over Huasna Road, racing northeast up hills thick with oak trees and brush that had been dried out from the extreme drought the area is experiencing.

At first, the fire threatened about 50 structures in the rural neighborhood with ranches and homes, Cal Fire said, but firefighters have been able to alleviate those threats.

Evacuations were no longer in place for area residents as of Wednesday morning, although Huansa Road at Jatta Road remained closed to outside traffic.

The Camino Fire burns in the hills near Huasna on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, according to Cal Fire. The fire has the potential to reach 1,500 acres.
The Camino Fire burns in the hills near Huasna on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, according to Cal Fire. The fire has the potential to reach 1,500 acres.

“Firefighters and crews will continue fire suppression efforts,” Cal Fire said in a news release Wednesday morning. “Improving and establishing control lines on all divisions throughout the day. Firefighters face sections of steep rugged terrain, and hot & dry temperatures.”

The Camino Fire has demanded extensive resources, with a total of 265 personnel fighting the blaze as of Wednesday morning. Cal Fire has received help from 16 different agencies across the state.

The fire on Tuesday caused a large plume of smoke that, when the winds shifted in the early evening, eventually blew into various San Luis Obispo County cities and towns.

The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District issued a warning about potentially unhealthy air quality over Tuesday night in the Carrizo Plain, Arroyo Grande, Nipomo, Oceano, Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay.

An air tanker drops retardant on the Camino Fire as it burns in the hills near Huasna on Tuesday, June 28, 2022.
An air tanker drops retardant on the Camino Fire as it burns in the hills near Huasna on Tuesday, June 28, 2022.

However, as of Wednesday morning, air quality appeared to be good in most areas of the county.

The Camino Fire was the second-largest wildfire burning in California on Wednesday.

The Rices Fire in Nevada County was around 769 acres and 0% contained as of Wednesday morning, while the Burrows Fire in Glenn County was 75% contained after burning 317 acres, according to Cal Fire.