Gilroy Ballybunion Fire, Day 4: 'Significant Progress' Made On Containment

GILROY, CA — UPDATED: Significant progress is being made Wednesday on the Ballybunion — or Bally — wildfire that has been burning since Sunday night after erupting in the hills above the Eagle Ridge housing development and golf course in Gilroy. According to a Cal Fire Santa Clara County Unit spokeswoman, the Ballybunion Fire was 80-percent contained as of 4 p.m. Wednesday and remained 100 acres in size.

"Significant progress was again made by firefighters today," Cal Fire spokeswoman Pam Temmermand said in an update. "Firefighters are continuing to work on establishing and maintaining containment lines while continuing suppression repair, and mop up."

Wednesday afternoon, 161 personnel were assigned to the wildfire — down from 288 earlier in the day.

Helicopter crews have been reassigned to other fires.

Overnight Wednesday, containment improved to 65 percent — up from 40 percent Tuesday. As favorable weather conditions — cooler temperatures and higher humidity levels at night — continue, Temmermand said containment improves.

The cause of the fire, which broke out just after 7 p.m. Sunday in the 1900 block of Ballybunion Court, remained under investigation Wednesday. Temmermand said Cal Fire has assisted the Gilroy Police Department in pinpointing the fire's point of origin. Patch was not able to immediately reach a Gilroy police spokesperson Wednesday morning about the progress of the investigation.

Although there have been no structures lost nor evacuations ordered since the fire's onset, residents of the city have dealt with poor air quality from the smoke. The Gilroy Unified School District was monitoring air quality Wednesday on an hourly basis and adjusting student activity accordingly, city officials said.

Also according to the city:

— Santa Teresa Boulevard is open but remains subject to closure based on the needs of the emergency vehicles.

— The Ranch Side of Christmas Hill Park remains closed to accommodate base camp for Cal Fire. The south side of the park remains open to the public.

— The walking path through the Ranch Side of Christmas Hill Park to Solorsano Middle School is closed to all foot traffic to secure the park for the base camp.

— Nature and Nurture early childhood recreation classes in the TEEC Building have been CANCELED through Friday. Please call 408-846-0460 for more information regarding these classes.

— Solorsano Middle School students should make alternate arrangements for travel to and from school as all access from the Ranch Side of Christmas Hill Park will be closed to walkers and drivers, no school drop offs or pickups will be allowed in or near the park.

— While the Gilroy Fire Department appreciates the offers of donations, NO DONATIONS ARE NEEDED AT THIS TIME. Fire Departments have needed supplies and are well stocked at this time. Please do not bring donations to Eagle Ridge, Ballybunion or any of the local fire stations. If the need for donations changes, we will let the community know.

PREVIOUS 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

Main article image contributed by Gillis Jones (Instagram: @gillis572)