Neighbors call for action after Stockton grass fire damages homes

STOCKTON, Calif. — The grass north of Harding Way and west of the Stanford Avenue neighborhood in Stockton was still dry and overgrown Thursday, 24 hours after a destructive grass fire in the same area broke out. damaged two houses and three outbuildings.

“There's so much dead brush out there, all it takes is a little flint to start a fire,” said Joey Sloan whose house backs onto the lawn next to the Union Pacific railroad tracks. “It was just a very scary, uncomfortable feeling.”

Even some people living on the street from where the flames first erupted said they were preparing to evacuate if necessary Wednesday afternoon because unfortunately the neighborhood has been through this before. The empty lots in the neighborhood where homes once stood are proof of this.

“On July 5, 2020, we had a major fire that destroyed eight homes, blew up cars, blew up RVs…I mean everything,” said Dana who declined to give her last name but lives near the scene of the fire.

This fire started in the same grassy area between the neighborhood and the Union Pacific railroad tracks. That's why neighbors can't help but wonder why this keeps happening?

“Since then, we've been working on getting these guys to clean up the back area of ​​the railroad tracks as well as, you know, the houses that have tall grass and stuff,” Dana said. “But (I) failed.”

Union Pacific, which is responsible for clearing vegetation near its railroad tracks, did not respond to any of ABC10's questions but sent a statement saying it was investigating whether the fire occurred on its property. The train company says it allows people to notify them of non-emergency incidents like vegetation near the tracks.

“I contacted the Stockton Police Department. I contacted the Sheriff's Department. I contacted law enforcement, the railroad, the CPUC – everyone,” Dana said. “And I’m not getting any help.”

San Joaquin County says it received complaints about the Union Pacific property earlier in May.

An inspection deemed the area a fire risk. The county sent out a last suppression notice 11 days ago and on Wednesday, while the San Joaquin County Fire Marshal was on his way to check the area, the most recent fire broke out.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, so it is unclear whether Union Pacific will face any repercussions. The county says a contractor will be in the area Friday to begin reducing vegetation growth.

“It's just out of this world, it's just crazy. Please help me,” Dana said.

That's all Dana and her neighbors want: help before it's too late.

“It's concerning. It makes you think twice about wanting to live here,” Sloan said. “No matter what, they need to take this situation seriously and get on top of it without delay.”

Watch more from ABC10: Stockton fire damages two homes | What we know