Park Fire nearly 100 percent contained, says Cal Fire

UPDATE 7/24/2017 10:00 a.m. According to Cal Fire, the Park fire burning at the border of Monterey County is 99 percent contained. The fire started at Parkfield Road and Highway 198, west of Coalinga and burned through 1,649 acres of brush in Fresno County. PREVIOUS STORY: 7/18/2017 9:39 a.m. According to Cal Fire, two fires are burning in Monterey County. A vegetation fire burning in Parkfield near Coalinga Road and Highway 198 has spread into the Monterey County line south of Fresno County. According to Cal Fire, the Park Fire has burned through 1,200 acres of land since Monday, July 17 and is only 10 percent contained. Fire officials said the fire ignited sometime around 1:07 p.m. The flames are actively burning through tall grass, brush and timber. Firefighters are working in steep and rugged areas which officials said is hindering their efforts. Cal Fire said structures in the area and high tension power lines are threatened. However no structures have been damaged. As of Tuesday, July 18, the Garza Fire has burned 48,233 acres of land including parts of Monterey County. The fire started on July 9, at Tar Canyon Road near Avenal in Kings County. Cal Fire said the vegetation fire is 95 percent contained. Firefighters continue to improve containment lines and patrol the fire perimeter to check for hot spots. Smoke will likely stay visible for several more days. The cause of both fires are under investigation.
PREVIOUS STORY: According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Garza Fire has spread into Monterey County. Firefighters are working in steep and rugged areas with inaccessible terrain which Cal Fire said is hindering firefighters efforts. The Garza Fire ignited on Sunday, July 9 on Tar Canyon Road near Avenal, Kings County. The fire has spread 39,214 acres as of Friday morning. Cal Fire said the wildfire is 43 percent contained. The area where the flames reached the Monterey County line is rural. Cal Fire said no evacuation warnings have been made. The closest town to this area of the fire is Parkfield. Firefighters said they plan to hold the fire at the Monterey County Line. So far the Garza Fire has threatened five structures, and destroyed one. More than 100 engines, 15 helicopters, four air tankers, 27 hand crews, and 27 dozers have been used to battle the fire. More than 1,300 personnel have responded to the area including Monterey County Sheriff’s. The cause of the fire is under investigation.