Firefighters: Fair Oaks Homes Spared Thanks To Defensible Space

FAIR OAKS (CBS13) — Fast-moving flames, fueled by high winds crept dangerously close to home in Fair Oaks, prompting evacuations.

The National Guard was in the middle of fire training when pilots spotted smoke coming from the hillside.

The fire burned in the bluffs, threatening homes overlooking the American River. High winds forced the fire uphill.

Investigators say there was suspicious activity in the area, but haven't elaborated what that activity was.

It was history repeating itself for homeowners like Lucille Barnett.

"We had 4 homes burn down several years ago," she said.

Barnett has lived along the bluff near Sailor Bar for nearly 40 years, and says this is the fourth time the thick brush backing up to her property has gone up in smoke.

The wind-whipped flames started around 6 p.m. and quickly draped thick clouds of smoke and ash over the Fair Oaks neighborhood.

"We couldn't get out of the house fast enough in our area if that fire came up, and it will. It's not if, it's when," said Martin Cherrington who lives nearby.

While the steep terrain proved challenging for firefighters, multiple agencies moved in, including the California National Guard, who initially spotted the fire during a training exercise.

Firefighters say the fire was stopped because homeowners did their part and maintained 100 feet of defensible space.