N
ORTH FORK — Local firefighters have had a very busy day so far in the North Fork area. Having just wrapped up a fire on Arab Way, they responded to a medical aid call in North Fork, and were then dispatched to reports of a fire near the Transfer Station just north of town.
At 2:38 p.m., a fire was reported on Road 229B, just south of the Siderman Family Camp and Conference Center, formerly known as the Putney Ranch.
Becky Cairns was at home with her parents and son, when she heard her brother yell, “Fire!” Everyone raced make sure animals were safe, and to get their vehicles moved off the property to make room for engines and water tenders.
With hot and dry conditions across the region, our area is on a high dispatch level, and a full wildland call-out was soon en route.
Five structures were reported to be in immediate danger when the first engines arrived at scene.
Cal Fire Engines 4255 and 4275 out of Rancheria responded, along with Engine 4254 out of Bass Lake, 4294 from Ahwahnee, Madera County Engine 11 and Water Tender 11, and Sierra National Forest Engine 51 from North Fork and Engine 339 from San Bernardino.
Firefighters quickly got a hose lay around the fire, and focused on protecting three trailers that were situated in a field adjacent to the house.
SNF Engine 51 moved in for structure protection around the home, while crews worked on the fireline and quickly knocked down the flames.
The fire was contained at about 3:15 p.m. All resources not already at scene were called off, including Air Attack, three air tankers and two helicopters. One ground crew from Mount Bullion continued in for mop-up, freeing local engines to be available for dispatch.
The Incident Commander expected complete control of the fire by 4 p.m., and three hours for mop-up.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
https://sierranewsonline.com/fire-in-north-fork-quickly-suppressed/
