MADERA COUNTY – The sound of planes overhead and fire engine sirens on the roadways had residents wondering yesterday “what’s on fire now?”
At 9:15 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8, Madera County Fire Department, Cal Fire and Sierra National Forest engines responded to a fire near Redinger Lake.
The blaze burned about 4 acres before crews were able to get it under control. No structures were threatened or lost, and the cause is under investigation.
Just after 10:30 a.m. another call came in for a fire on Bean Gulch Ranch Road off Road 415. A resident accidentally started the fire while doing some welding.
Madera County Fire and Cal Fire responded, along with two crews from Mt. Bullion, plus two air tankers pelting the blaze with retardant and one helicopter dousing the flames with water.
Old tires stacked throughout the area caught fire, and put up a large amount of black smoke that could be seen from all over the mountains.
The fire also burned grass and nearby trees as it scorched about two acres.
No injuries were reported on either incident.
(Thanks to Cal Fire for the photos, click to enlarge)