Caution urged as high heat drives Yuba-Sutter fires

High heat and low humidity proved a challenge for Yuba-Sutter firefighters in the last two days as a series of grassfires broke out in Yuba City and Linda.

On Saturday, two fires that started around noon in the Linda river bottoms consumed 200 acres off Feather River Boulevard near Broadway Street and Ella Avenues. With help from Wheatland, Olivehurst, Marysville and Yuba City fire departments, Linda Fire Department had the blazes contained by 5:30 p.m., Capt. Kyle Heggstrom said.

The cause of the fires was under investigation, as was the cause of another off Montclair Avenue and Hammonton-Smartsville Road that burned about one acre and threatened one structure but caused no da age.

"Definitely high heat with low humidity was a factor today, with some light variable winds that caused some challenges on the fire line," Heggstrom said.

About 20 firefighters battled the two larger blazes, which were 80 and 120 acres in size, respectively, he said.

While the causes of the fires were unknown, Heggstrom urged residents to take fire activity into consideration on high-temperature days.

"Be cautious of surroundings," he said. "Fires start quickly."

On Friday night, Yuba City Fire Department responded to three small fires within an hour, starting just after 5 p.m.

There was a small roadside spot fire at Railroad Avenue and Bogue Road, a fire in a mowed field at Lincoln Road east of Highway 99 that briefly threatend a home, and another small fire on Von Geldern Way.

There was minimal damage, and Battalion Chief Robert Bills said Saturday that after investigation, the causes were undetermined.

CONTACT Ashley Gebb at agebb@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4783. Find her on Facebook at /ADagebb or on Twitter at @ADagebb.