Vehicle exhaust contacting dry grass was the cause of the Wragg fire that burned more than 8,000 acres in Napa and Solano counties, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported Friday.
The dry grass ignited the surrounding brush as well as the vehicle, which apparently had pulled over at the fire’s point of origin at Highway 128 near Wragg Canyon Road and the Lake Berryessa Dam, officials said. The blaze was reported shortly before 2:30 p.m. on July 22.
It burned through heavy brush and steep, rugged terrain, eventually ending 4 miles west of Winters and just north of Mix Canyon Road near Vacaville, scorching a total of 8,051 acres and destroying or damaging one residence and six outbuildings before being fully contained, Cal Fire reported.
During initial operations, a Cal Fire helicopter was used for the emergency rescue of multiple hikers in the Cold Canyon area. One hiker suffered a heat-related illness and was transported to a local hospital by ground ambulance.
“With the critical fire conditions we are seeing this year combined with four years of drought, we are asking the public to be extra cautious in not sparking a wildfire,” Cal Fire Unit Chief Scott Upton said.
“With hunting season and other outdoor activities at their peak, it is imperative that we remain aware of how easily dry grass can ignite a wildfire with devastating consequences.”