COARSEGOLD — The Serpa Fire is now 70 percent contained and all restrictions have been lifted for the public to travel in and out of the areas along Cavin Lane and Mattie Fhy roads, according to Cal Fire Public Information Officer Jaime Williams.
The fire is still holding at 80 acres, and crews continue to strengthen firelines, check for hot spots and do mop-up.
There are currently about 300 personnel assigned to the incident, including 9 hand crews, 25 engines, 5 dozers and 6 water tenders. All aircraft have been released.
The public is asked to be aware that emergency equipment is still moving in and around the fire area.
The Serpa Fire was reported just before 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 21, burning on the east side of Highway 41 north of Coarsegold on the Veater Ranch.
Road 420 evacuations were lifted at 10 p.m. on Thursday, and Cavin Lane/Mattie Fhy residents were allowed to return home at 9 a.m. this morning.
The Red Cross Shelter at the YLP Church and the large animal shelter at the rodeo grounds in Coarsegold have been closed.
No homes were lost in the Serpa Fire, though dozens were threatened. One firefighter injury has been reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Anyone else find it suspicious there have been two (serious) fires on the Veater ranch in the past 3 weeks?