Deer Park fire contained

By CARLOS VILLATORO
Register Staff Writer

CalFire crews gained the upper hand Sunday morning on a fire that scorched 300 or more acres of brush in the hills east of St. Helena. The fire began on Friday afternoon when a truck left the roadway and struck a rock, causing a spark to ignite the brush.

The driver of the vehicle attempted to stop the flames from spreading but was unsuccessful according to CalFire. Firefighters gained full containment of the Deer Fire, named because the fire originated along a stretch of Deer Park Road, at 6 a.m., Sunday morning.

Crews are expected to gain complete control of the blaze on Monday morning according to CalFire. Flames destroyed one residence and two outbuildings and two firefighters received minor injuries during the course of their duties.

Through Monday, fire crews will patrol the fire lines and do an extensive mop-up of the area. All roads leading to the area have been re-opened and all residents have returned to their homes. Total personnel at the fire reached 1,569 at the peak of the blaze according to CalFire.

“Local government firefighting personnel and engines worked hand-in-hand with CalFire personnel to combat this wildland fire,” Napa-Lake-Sonoma Unit Chief Ernie Loveless said.

CalFire officials said they would like to remind the public that a high fire danger still remains.

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