Home » Headlines » Fires » Cause Of 1,000 Acre Marshes Fire Released
Marshes Fire - photo courtesy Tuolumne County Sheriff

Cause Of 1,000 Acre Marshes Fire Released

TUOLUMNE COUNTY — The Marshes Fire, which has burned 1,000 acres in Tuolumne County and is 38 percent contained, has been determined to have started when a vehicle parked on dry grass.

Though fall is here and the tendency may be to let down one’s guard concerning wildfire, the danger is still very real.

The Marshes Fire is being fought by 940 personnel and has required the resources of equipment, crews and overhead personnel from 68 different agencies.

There are currently 105 engines, 36 fire crews, 6 air tankers, 4 helicopters, 27 dozers and 17 water tenders assigned to the incident.

Steep, rocky terrain and limited access present on-going difficulties with construction of over 12 miles of fire line. Rolling material such as rocks and burning logs, plus unstable footing, create hazardous work conditions at all times, but especially during nighttime darkness.

Highway 49 between Highway 120 and the Tuolumne-Mariposa County line has been closed, but is scheduled to reopen for single-lane controlled traffic at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29.

Cooperating Agencies: Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Department, CHP, PG&E, OES, BLM, Cal Fire, U.S. Forest Service, City and County of San Francisco – Hetchy Hetchy Water & Power.

Location of the fire — Long/Lat: -120.32484/37.79635

Leave a Reply

Sierra News Online

Sierra News Online