Truck Ignites Fire That Burns 10 Acres Near Wheeler Gorge

U.S. Forest Service firefighters battled a small brush fire Saturday that charred about 10 acres of grass and sagebrush in the hills near Wheeler Gorge north of Ojai, authorities said.

It took about 50 firefighters until 5 p.m. to control the blaze, which burned next to California 33 near the Holiday Campground, officials said.

No injuries or structure damage were reported.

According to Forest Service spokesman Joe Pasinato, the fire started about 10:20 a.m. after a truck that was towing another vehicle burst into flames and ignited the dry vegetation along the roadside.

Despite the fire’s small size, Forest Service officials didn’t take any chances, ordering an all-out assault on the blaze.

In addition to six engines and two water trucks, two water-collecting helicopters and a retardant-dropping airplane were used to bring the fire under control.

While fire season wasn’t officially to begin until May 15, Forest Service officials have moved the opening day to Monday.

For the rest of the season, fire teams will patrol the forest and be on heightened alert to respond to any brush or forest fires in the area.

According to Los Padres Fire Management Officer Thom Myall, the current fire danger is at a level normally not reached until July.

“We are way ahead of schedule,” he said. “The rains came early, but it’s very dry out there now and the bumper crop of grass is already brown and ready to burn.”