Crime & Safety

Photos: 911 Calls About a Brush Fire Brought a Dozen Fire Companies, Air Tankers and a Helicopter to Pacifica

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the North County fire Authority Fire Prevention Services Bureau.

A five-acre brush fire that came within 20 feet of homes in Pacifica on Saturday was aggressively attacked by a team of firefighters, who were able to fully extinguish the fire in about an hour. 

Around 20 residents on Manor Drive were evacuated due to the fire in the area of 451 Milagra Drive. It took 11 fire companies, two hand crews, two air tankers, a helicopter, a water tender, and three chief officers to snuff out the blaze.

Pacifica resident Jeff Christner captured the scene on camera. See some of his photos in the gallery above. Here’s what he had to say about the incident:

Find out what's happening in Pacificawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“On Saturday, October 19th, 2013, at approximately 3:55 pm, people from all over the northern end of Pacifica started calling 911 for a wildland fire on Milagra Ridge, an area which is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Some of the calls were coming from Milagra Drive beneath the fire, while others were coming from Manor Drive, above the fire. I responded to the area from my house and arrived at the same time as first due Pacifica Engine 71. The fire was behind some houses and apartments on Manor Drive, and was making good headway uphill. A second alarm was soon made, and in addition there was a state response of several Type 3 wildland engines, a bulldozer and dozer tender, and an Air Attack (Battalion Chief in the sky), and two Tankers (aircraft), and one helicopter.  The helicopter made two water drops, one of which was less then 50' away from me, I wasn't sure where they were dropping so I took cover when they were approaching and sounded their horn, I figure it was better to take cover then get a good photo, just in case. In a few hours the fire was more or less out and the units began mopping up hot spots.”

Read more and see more photos by Christner here.

Find out what's happening in Pacificawith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.