Firefighter Hospitalized With Heat Exhaustion Battling South San Jose Brush Fire
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- Paramedics Thursday afternoon rushed a firefighter battling a fast-moving grass fire in South San Jose to the hospital with heat exhaustion.
A spokesperson for the fire department says firefighters chased the blaze up steep, dry hillsides carrying 50 pounds of heavy equipment as the temperature flirted with triple digits.
"They're doing heavy physical labor in 100 degrees temperatures. So we have to make sure they stay cool and hydrated so they don't end up with heat-related issues," said Capt. Mitch Matlow.
The brush fire was apparently triggered by a truck crashing into a power pole in South San Jose. The fire department estimates the fire blackened 125 acres before they got the upper hand.
The fire was burning in the area of Santa Teresa Blvd. and Bailey Ave. Cal Fire said the fire was burning on both sides of Santa Teresa Blvd. with power lines down.
A crash involving a blue pickup truck plowing into a power pole on Santa Teresa started the fire, authorities said.
The site of the so-called Bayliss Fire is just southwest of the PG&E Metcalf substation.
Cal Fire was able to provide air support from both helicopters and airplanes dropping both water and fire retardant in the area.
Crews from both the San Jose Fire Department and Cal Fire were battling the fire on the ground.
A spokesperson for the San Jose Fire Department said the injured firefighter is expected to make a full recovery.
Cal Fire Division Chief Jim Crawford said no structures have been damaged as of 4 p.m. Crews are currently working to fully extinguish the fire.
