Cal Fire: Vineyard workers who set off ag fireworks did not report blaze

  The Gloria Fire, which has burned more than 6,400 acres, started in a vineyard owned by Constellation Wines U.S., officials said today.

Workers at the vineyard, located east of Highway 101 at Camphora Gloria Road, were setting off agricultural fireworks to scare off birds, according to Cal Fire investigator Cliff Williams.

Williams said the workers did not report the fire.

Authorities learned of the fire from motorists who called 911 after seeing plumes of smoke from Highway 101, he said.

The investigation is expected to be completed by tonight or early Tuesday, Williams said.

Even if the fire is found to be an accident, he said, the property owners will be responsible to pay for the firefighting effort.

As of today, estimated cost of the suppression effort is $4 million.

The blaze broke out about 3 p.m. Thursday. As of today, the fire is fully contained, officials said.

Williams said he investigates about six wildfires caused by agricultural fireworks in the Salinas Valley each year.

“This is probably the biggest one I’ve seen,” he said of the Gloria Fire.