Headed for Sonoma Coast fire, firefighters find flipped water truck

North Coast firefighters rushing to a nighttime fire in the remote coastal hills outside Annapolis found an overturned water truck in their path.

Firefighters were able to get around the huge vehicle and up to the fire, which burned a small outbuilding and about a quarter-acre of grass on property on Evans Ridge Road near Three Point Road.

Cal Fire Capt. Shelly Spear said the water truck was owned by a resident who had been on his way to help at the fire when he crashed.

“That could have been a disaster,” Spear said, if the truck had completely blocked the route. “There was no other way in.”

The truck owner, who wasn’t hurt, had walked from the crash to the fire. He met firefighters there and apologized, she said.

The fire was reported at about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Due to the very remote area, it took about 35 minutes for the Sea Ranch Cal Fire engine to arrive, and it was first to the scene.

Cool temperatures and moisture in the air helped keep flames from getting to a nearby home. “If there were any other conditions, the fire would have threatened that house,” Spear said.

Fire officials Wednesday still were investigating the cause. The fire had started in the building, which had held solar panels and included a propane light.

As well as the Sea Ranch engine, Cal Fire engines came from Cloverdale and Point Arena. Annapolis and Sea Ranch volunteer firefighters and South Coast firefighters also responded.