BASS LAKE – 6 p.m. UPDATE – The Pines Fire, which was reported at about 4:20 p.m. this afternnon, is estimated at about 50 acres with 10% containment, and firefighters have hose lays around the entire perimeter. Cal Fire and the US Forest Service have joint command of the fire, according to Incident Commander Charlotte Jordan, Battalion 52 on the Bass Lake Ranger District.
Fawn Point residents had been evacuated to the Oakhurst Community Center, but are reportedly being allowed to return at this time. Residents only are being allowed into the area.
Strike Teams are arriving and are staging at the Fawn Point Road turnoff. Cal Fire, Madera County Fire, the US Forest Service, CHP, Sheriff’s deputies and PG&E are all at scene. Just after the fire started, PG&E was asked by fire officials to cut power to the lines running through the area. They are back-feeding power from other lines into the area. The outage affected about 570 customers but was restored quickly.
Road 274 is currently closed in both directions between Fawn Point and Marina View. Fawn Point is on the north shore of Bass Lake, just east of The Pines Resort. People traveling between Oakhurst and North Fork are advised to use alternate routes. Road 274 will be closed until further notice.
It appears the fire started next to the road on the north side. It is burning in steep terrain, in brush and trees.
Helicopters are dipping water out of Bass Lake and air tankers are dropping retardant along the leading edge.
We were on the lake at 4:15 and swathe fire start and reported it to the lake sherif. We then watched and filmed it for the next hour and half. We live at Marina View Heights just a couple miles away. We are now watching the sun going down with the burnt orange sky. Now waiting for our power to return. Quite an exciting day