SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST — Just after 1 p.m. today as crews were beginning mop-up on a series of fires that sparked along Highway 41 in Coarsegold, crews were called to respond to a report of fire burning on the Sierra National Forest, 4.6 miles up Central Camp Road.
The fire was called in by a North Fork resident who owns a cabin nearby and was riding his bike on the 007 trail when he spotted the fire.
As resources were being requested on the ground and in the air, dispatch warned first responders to be aware of a potential life hazard: a subject known to have drug charges and carry weapons was in the area.
After hiking in, the first firefighter on scene reported three-foot high flame lengths burning in clover, manzanita and oak, with the fire spotting out ahead of itself.
Boaters on Bass Lake have been cleared away from the dam area to allow helicopters to dip water from the lake.
No evacuations are being ordered, but deputies are notifying people at Gaggs Camp and Whiskers Campgrounds that they should be aware of the fire.
Resources from Sierra National Forest, Cal Fire and Madera County Fire are on scene and more are being ordered by the Incident Commander.
We will update as the story develops.
(View of the fire from Road 274)
