Fire in the Hole! 15 tons of explosive material detonated

More than 15 tons of abandoned explosive material is getting disposed of this week in San Benito County.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is assisting the Monterey County Bomb Squad in the emergency disposal.

According to the EPA, the explosive materials were found in a facility located on about two acres of agricultural land in unincorporated San Benito County. The explosives include smokeless powder, black powder, silver iodide and silver iodate.

The EPA is warning residents that they might hear and/or see the detonations, which will likely occur between 12 and 3 p.m. each afternoon this week. The material is detonated within dirt trenches suited for the work.

The Hollister Fire Department, San Benito County Sheriff’s Office, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, California Department of Toxic Substances Control and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also helping.