Gilroy Ballybunion Fire Now 100 Acres, 10-Percent Contained: Cal Fire

GILROY, CA — The Ballybunion Fire burning since Sunday night in Gilroy has been more accurately mapped at 100 acres and as of 3:30 p.m. Monday, was 10 percent contained, according to Cal Fire. The updated acreage and containment was determined by Cal Fire officials who surveyed the wildfire from a helicopter mid-Monday afternoon, Cal Fire spokeswoman Pam Temmermand told Patch.

Earlier Monday, the fire was estimated at 130 acres with no containment in sight.

"It shrunk, which is good," Temmermand said.

Cal Fire is assisting the Gilroy Fire Department with incident management of the vegetation fire that initially broke out at about 7 p.m. Sunday off Ballybunion Court in the Eagle Ridge area of Gilroy in steep, rugged terrain in hills on the west side of town.

Monday, as smoke blanketed Gilroy, city officials advised residents to stay indoors.

"Due to the fire, air quality in Gilroy is very poor," city officials said in a Monday afternoon update. "We recommend residents stay indoors with the doors and windows closed for safety."

Crews from the Gilroy Fire Department, Cal Fire and many neighboring fire districts from throughout Santa Clara County have been working since Sunday night in rugged, steep terrain to battle the blaze. Within a few hours of its onset, 100 firefighters were on scene from agencies including the county of Santa Clara and the Milpitas, Palo Alto, San Jose and Mountain View fire departments.

>>PREVIOUS PATCH COVERAGE: Multiple Agencies Battle Gilroy Brush Fire<<

There has been at least one firefighter injury. The Gilroy Fire Department reported that a firefighter fell 40 feet into the darkness and was taken to St. Louise Hospital for care and evaluation.

Helicopter and air tanker crews have been making water and fire retardant drops on the wildfire since Monday morning. Ground crews from elsewhere in the Bay Area have also since arrived to help in the firefight.

Patch was not aware of any evacuation orders.

City officials maintained Monday afternoon that "no homes or structures are threatened at this time."

Temmermand confirmed there was no structure threat at this point, but said protection is in place and has been since late Sunday night.

There are roughly 800 homes in the Eagle Ridge subdivision near where the fire broke out and continues to burn, many residents of which are reportedly preparing to evacuate if conditions worsen.

"Fire crews have established containment lines to protect homes and structures and in addition, are staged near homes in case anything changes," the Gilroy Police Department said in a 3 p.m. update. "Fire commanders are carefully monitoring weather and winds. Significant firefighting effort continues by hand crews and fire ground personnel in spite of the steep and rugged terrain."

Firefighters will continue working through the night, city officials said late Monday, with fire crews staged near homes and monitoring conditions in case the fire changes direction.

In addition to causing poor air quality, the wildfire has resulted in the closure of Santa Teresa Boulevard between Miller Avenue and south of Club Drive to allow for emergency vehicle access. Residents are also discouraged from walking or biking down the stretch of road. (City officials say Santa Teresa Boulevard will open Tuesday for school and commute traffic from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and again from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.)

>>Have photos of the scene in Gilroy? Send them for publication to gilroy@patch.com. (Thank you to those who have already sent theirs in! Please remember to stay safe and follow orders given by public safety officials.)<<

While expressing appreciation for donations offered by residents, police said no donations are needed at this time.

"Please do not bring donations to Eagle Ridge, Ballybunion or any of the local fire stations," city officials said. "If the need for donations changes, we will let the community know."

Also Monday, city officials announced a partial closure of Christmas Hill Park: the Ranch side, where Cal Fire is setting up a base camp. The south side of the park remains open to the public for the time being, officials said.

Residents should note that due to the closure:

• The walking path through the Ranch Side of the park to Solorsano Middle School is closed to all foot traffic to secure the park for the base camp.
• With school starting Tuesday, preschool classes in the Teak Building will be relocated; parents will be contacted by staff with more information.
• Parents and students of Solarsano Middle School are asked to please make alternate arrangements for travel to and from Solarsano Middle School starting Tuesday as all access from the Ranch Side of Christmas Hill Park will be closed and no school drop-offs or pickups will be allowed in or near the park. Alternate arrangements will also need to be made for students who use the path on the Ranch Side of Christmas Hill Park to walk to and from school as this path is closed and there will be no access to this side of the park.

Patch will update this story as more information is gathered; refresh the page for the latest.

Photos in top gallery contributed by @gillis572, Cale Jones, Cesar Vega, Josh Cathers and Morgan Kissinger