Grass Fire at Cal Expo
A grass fire swept across 176 acres on the American River Parkway on the evening of Thursday, September 15, 2016. The fire was blazing nearby the Capital City Freeway where it could be seen as far as the North Highlands area.
What Happened?
The grass fire started at approximately 1:15 pm. The fire was burning nearby the Business Interstate 80’s mile marker 5. The small fire grew into a widespread blaze in only 7 minutes. The temperature of the fire was so high, it started a fire whirl that sent debris into the air.
Cal Expo Grass Fire Evacuations
More than 1,000 people that were attending major events at Cal Expo were evacuated. An RV weekend show and a rental housing association meeting were underway at the Cal Expo grounds before the grass fire broke out. The only people that were not evacuated from the Cal Expo grounds were the occupants residing at the RV park.
Sacramento Fire Department Reports
According to fire officials from the Sacramento Fire Department, the fire spread to the northeast which was directed away from the Business 80 Highway. The spread of the fire that was aimed in the eastbound direction halted at Ethan Boulevard. The blaze was contained by crews at 5:50 pm. The causes of the fire are still unknown. There was a fire that previously burnt the same area during the summer of 2016. When the fire on Thursday came into contact with the burn scar from the summer, it acted as a natural fire break which detoured the fire from growing rapidly. The flames of the fire were estimated to be at a height of 50 feet as it was approaching the Cal Expo area.
Injuries From a Fire Can Result in Burns, Asphyxiation and Suffocation
The treatment for recovery from a burn injury requires extensive medical attention, physical therapy, and in more severe cases, plastic surgery. The skin and tissues of the body can sustain permanent damage due to severe burns. This also may cause limited mobility and range of motion for the body and its limbs. Asphyxiation and suffocation are the main cause of death in house fires, mobile home fires, and other fire-related accidents. The inhalation of the smoke from the fire in a contained area removes vital oxygen from the air and replaces it with hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, and other disorientating vapors.
Sacramento Burn Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Burn Injury Attorney. If you or a family member has been seriously hurt in a fire due to no fault of your own, please call me at (916) 921-6400 for free, friendly advice. You may also reach me toll-free at (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.
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Information Source for Cal Expo Grass Fire: KCRA 3 News
Photo Source: Wiki Media Commons – Flames.jpg
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