Fire crews battle vegetation fire in Prunedale

UPDATE 3/31/2015: Dry conditions caused problems Monday for firefighters battling a vegetation fire in Prunedale. According to North Monterey County Fire, the fire at 3 p.m. between about five homes and a berry farm just off Highway 156 in Prunedale.

Firefighters said farmers were using a blow torch to clear some weeds, which they said is a common practice.

Something sparked, and the vegetation caught fire. Dry conditions from the ongoing drought didn’t help.

NewsChannel 5 talked with a man who lives in one of the nearby homes. He came home after his wife called him about the fire. But he said he trusts first responders.

“Actually I was confident we would be OK. Living in North County we know the quick response of these guys out here. The fire department, the sheriffs, everyone out here, they really respond quickly,” Prunedale resident Chris Will said.

It took firefighters and CalFire about two hours to control the fire. It burned about one acre and there wasn’t any property damage.

A crew stayed nearby until about 8 p.m. Monday night to make sure it didn’t re-ignite.

UPDATE 4:28 p.m.: CalFire crews report an acre and half vegetation fire near Highway 156 in Prunedale started around 3 p.m.

Crews have it under control now and are working to put out a few smoldering spots.

Firefighters said they are clearing brush and mopping up. No property damage was reported by nearby homes.

PREVIOUS STORY: CalFire confirms crews are trying to put out a half acre fire near Highway 156 and McGuffie Road in Prunedale.

Crews said the area is heavily wooded with eucalyptus trees.

Units are just arriving on scene and NewsChannel 5 will update this information as it becomes available.