Home » Headlines » Fires » Hunter Fire Now Over 100 Acres, Drones Endanger Air Resources
Hunter Fire - photo by Robert Patterson

Hunter Fire Now Over 100 Acres, Drones Endanger Air Resources

MARIPOSA COUNTY — Once again, the residents of the Hunters Valley area are on the alert as a wildfire threatens them.

Just after 11:30 a.m., firefighters were diverted from the Detwiler Fire to reports of a new fire outside the containment lines, just northwest of the start of the Detwiler.

The Hunter Fire grew to 40 acres within two hours, and was estimated at 100 acres by 2:40 p.m.

Crews, dozers and air resources were diverted to the new fire, which is burning between Hunters Valley and Lake McClure.

Firefighters are in a good position to catch it, with Lake McClure on the north and west, and the burn-out from the Detwiler Fire on the south and east.

Just before 3 p.m., reports came in of drones over the fire. Firefighting aircraft cannot operate with drones in the air. It is not clear whether aircraft had to be grounded due to the presence of the drones, or if they returned to base to refuel. We are awaiting a response from Cal Fire.

A Cal Fire investigator was requested to respond.

Forward progress on the Hunter Fire was stopped at 6 p.m., though the fire was not reported to be contained at that point.

The fire was ultimately designated a “spot fire” by the management team, and incorporated as part of the Detwiler Fire.

Leave a Reply

Sierra News Online

Sierra News Online