MADERA COUNTY — Just as some resources were being released from a vegetation fire in Yosemite Lakes Park, reports came in of another burning near Hensley Lake and a third near Road 33.
Just before 2 p.m., a fire was reported just south of Hensley Lake on Road 400. The first engine at scene estimated 6-7 acres burning in light, flashy fuels into a creek bed.
As engines headed toward the Hensley Fire, reports came in of a large fire on Road 400 near Road 33.
Five engines and a dozer were assigned to the Hensley Fire, as other resources were sent to the new start on Road 33.
The last report from the Road 33 fire was about 40 acres with two structures involved.
Air attack is overhead, and air tankers are dropping retardant and returning to Columbia to reload and return. There are also helicopters doing bucket work, with a water source reported nearby.
Additional resources continue to arrive at scene, including Mt. Bullion ground crews, Cal Fire and Madera County Fire engines and dozers. Dispatch is having a hard time finding water tenders to respond.
Updates:
The fire on Running Deer Court in YLP was controlled at 3:05 p.m. at three-quarters of an acre.
The Hensley Fire was reported controlled at 3.5 acres at 5:30 p.m.
The causes of all of today’s fires are under investigation.
According to Donna Spillane, the house and barn lost in the Road 33 fire were pieces of Madera County history.
“Today was a sad day. Madera County lost the last standing flume house from the Madera Sugar Pine Flume. “It was the 6 mile house. I lived in it for 10 years; both it and the barn next door are gone. They sat on the west end of the Adobe Ranch on Road 400 just west of Road 33.”
Map of the Road 33 Fire location:
