Nola Sizemore
Staff Writer
The Sunshine Volunteer Fire Department responded to a brush fire on First Street in Rio Vista at 2:40 p.m. on Tuesday. Battling blazes up to 50 feet tall, approximately 150 yards were burned from the top of the levy to the river.
Fire Chief Steven Hatfield said the fire was suspicious in nature.
“If this fire had crossed the levy, a number of homes would have been endangered,” said Hatfield. “Just across the river from this fire another suspicious fire was set last night burning about 50 yards of brush. There appears to be a pattern in this. An investigation will be done to determine the circumstances behind these two fires.”
Working approximately two hours or more getting the fire under control, Hatfield said the perimeter was “wet down” to keep embers from jumping over the levy to dry leaves.
“There is a burning ban until Dec. 15. No burning from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.,” said Hatfield. “We had 10 to 15 mph winds today and this fire could have cost homes and lives. It’s hard for the firefighters to battle these kind of blazes with strong winds and everything so dry. The fire can easily blow up and engulf them.”
“Who ever is doing this needs to realize this type of behavior endangers lives and homes as well and if caught they will be prosecuted,” said Hatfield.
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