Wind-whipped fire in Antelope burns near rail yard, may have been sparked by mower

Firefighters have stopped progress on a grass fire that ignited Friday afternoon in Antelope after it was pushed to an open field by strong winds, according to the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District.

The fire, which started around 2:45 p.m., burned at a moderate rate of spread on Poker Lane at Antelope North Road, and had burned an estimated 5 to 10 acres before firefighters were able to begin containing it. Fire officials said in a social media post that one structure was threatened. Radio towers are also in the area where flames were seen.

A law enforcement officer was seen wrapping police tape around a lawn mower where the fire began, but officials did not comment on whether it sparked the blaze.

Traffic on Antelope North Road is seeing considerable backups, and motorists are advised to avoid the area. The blaze was whipped up by strong winds, and was being pushed southeast toward Union Pacific’s J.R. Davis Rail Yard near Roseville.

South winds in the area are forecast to gust as high as 26 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

This story was originally published June 5, 2020 at 3:22 PM.