San Luis Obispo County’s website

Firefighters battling multiple blazes on Cuesta Grade and highway

By Sally Connell

Firefighters are responding to multiple fires at the Cuesta Grade and points further north along the west side of Highway 101.

The California Highway Patrol reported on its Web site that a sports utility vehicle of dark color was seen at a few of the locations where fires were initially reported, although there is no further information at this time on that vehicle.

“We’re just working on putting the fires out,” said a spokeswoman who answered the Cal Fire press line. She said the first mission will be to squelch the fires, and investigation will follow.

At least two air tankers were dropping fire retardant on the fire which developed along the southbound lane side of Highway 101 near Tassajara Road. A helicopter and additional crews arrived on site at approximately 5:45 p.m.

Another fire incident command center had been set up near Santa Rosa Road in Atascadero at Highway 101, and a third at a still undisclosed location.

The CalFire spokeswoman did not have any estimated acreage for the various fires.