Gilroy Ballybunion Fire: City To Lift Closures

GILROY, CA — In the wake of the Ballybunion Fire, life in Gilroy was slowly starting to return to normal Thursday. City officials said Santa Teresa Boulevard is open and they expect to reopen the Ranch Side of Christmas Tree Hill Park, as well as the walking path through the park to Solorsano Middle School, to the public Friday morning.

That section of the park and the path have been closed since earlier this week for use as a base camp by fire officials. Thursday morning, Cal Fire announced 90-percent containment of the wildfire that has been burning since Sunday night in the hills above the Eagle Ridge housing development and golf course.

Ninety firefighters remained on scene, focusing their efforts on "suppression repair including pulling hose that had been placed throughout the hillside for fire management, removing flagging and signs and establishing erosion control measures along areas of fire suppression activity," city officials said.

No structures were lost in the 100-acre fire that burned vegetation in rugged, steep terrain.

The cause of the blaze remained under investigation Thursday, according to Cal Fire Santa Clara County Unit Spokeswoman Pam Temmermand, who referred questions about the investigation to the Gilroy Police Department.

Gilroy Mayor Roland Velasco surveyed the burn area Wednesday from a helicopter and shared a video of what he observed.

"As this incident is coming to a close, we wish to thank all of our residents for following the guidelines given throughout the incident, complying with the various park and road closures and for supporting the many men and women who responded to this call," city officials said Thursday.

RELATED COVERAGE:

• Multiple Agencies Battle Gilroy Brush Fire
• Gilroy Ballybunion Fire Now 100 Acres, 10-Percent Contained: Cal Fire
• Gilroy Ballybunion Fire, Day 3: Containment Up As Firefight Continues
• Gilroy Ballybunion Fire, Day 4: 'Significant Progress' Made On Containment

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Photo via Gilroy Police Department Facebook Page