SLO County wildfire scorches 1,410 acres, forward progress stopped

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A wildfire broke out in California Valley on Wednesday afternoon, scorching 1,410 acres by 6 p.m.

The Bear Fire started around 12:38 p.m., according to a post by Cal Fire on X. Initial reports were for a 5-acre vegetation fire with one structure threatened.

The fire was located near near Soda Lake Road and the Gaviota Trail.

By 5:45 p.m., firefighters halted forward progress of the blaze. The fire was 15% contained at that time, according to Cal Fire spokesperson Toni Davis. Contaiment jumped to 50% later Wednesday evening.

Between six and 12 outbuildings were threatened by the fire, Davis said.

Helicopters and tankers dropped water and fire retardant on the blaze throughout the afternoon.

Cal Fire was assisted by fire departments from Templeton, the Bureau of Land Management, Santa Margarita, Atascadero, Paso Robles, the California Department of Correction, Santa Barbara County and the California Military Department, Davis said.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

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