NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A wildland fire in Pope Valley was close to full containment overnight after having broken out Tuesday afternoon.
The Chiles Fire was first reported after 2 p.m. Tuesday east of St. Helena off of Chiles Pope Valley Road, according to Cal Fire's Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit.
Cal Fire, Napa County Fire Department and St. Helena City Fire Department responded to the fast-moving wildland fire, which burned in steep terrain, pushed by gusty winds, Cal Fire said.
In an early Wednesday morning report Cal Fire said the fire burned 38 acres in grass and brush and was 80-percent contained.
There were no injuries, no structures were damaged and no evacuations were necessary, Cal Fire said.
Firefighters had challenges accessing the fire, however, Cal Fire said air and ground firefighting forces kept the fire from reaching a residence above it.
“The well-maintained driveway, clear signage, defensible space, and water supply on site definitely aided our firefighting effort,” said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Jason Martin, the incident commander.
Chiles Pope Valley Road between Highway 128 and Lower Chiles Valley Road was to remain closed until at least 8 a.m. Wednesday, according to Cal Fire.
Resources assigned to the incident included eight engine/truck companies, four water tenders, three volunteer companies, four fire crews, two helicopters, four overhead personnel, two bulldozers, three air tankers and 120 firefighting personnel, Cal Fire said early Wednesday
Cal Fire said the cause of the fire is under investigation.
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