CalFire crews burned more than 70 acres during a rare training
exercise around 1 p.m. Wednesday at Gilroy Gaits, an equestrian
training facility located off Lake Road in Hollister, CalFire
Battalion Chief Paul Avila said.
CalFire crews burned more than 70 acres during a rare training exercise around 1 p.m. Wednesday at Gilroy Gaits, an equestrian training facility located off Lake Road in Hollister, CalFire Battalion Chief Paul Avila said.
Fire officials coordinated with Gilroy Gaits, which allowed CalFire to use approximately 90 acres to train seven volunteer firefighters from San Benito County, Avila said.
San Benito County contracts out with CalFire for fire services.
“It gives us a good chance to bring volunteers out. They’re out here on their own time,” Avila said.
He added, “We don’t do it very often.”
The last such training occurred in September 2010, he said. Avila said the conditions have to be just right to conduct the training. Wednesday’s dry, moderately windy conditions provided the right setting, he said.
Thick, black smoke from the training was visible from Gilroy.
In all, 22 firefighters, six engines and one bulldozer participated in Wednesday’s training. Avila said there were no injuries.
