OAKHURST — A vegetation fire on Deadwood between Oakhurst and Coarsegold caused the temporary closure of Highway 41 Sunday night.
At about 9:17 p.m on Sunday, Oct. 15, firefighters were called out to respond to what the reporting party referred to as a “very large fire” on Highway 41 near Road 425C.
The first engine on scene reported the grass fire to be burning at a slow rate of spread in three spots, up hill, on the west side of the road.
By 9:45 p.m. it was reported to have spread to approximately one-and-one-half acres. Madera County Fire Engine 212, Cal Fire Engines 4260 and 4262, Transport Dozer 4245, and Water Tender 16 responded to the scene.
CHP closed Highway 41 temporarily in both directions on Deadwood as crews worked to get the fire under control.
At 9:55 p.m. the dozers on scene were released as crews on site were reportedly able to get a good handle on the fire, and the forward progress was stopped.
Any resources not already at scene were cancelled. Firefighters estimated at least another hour before Highway 41 would be reopened and about two hours for mop-up.
Highway 41 was reopened after midnight on Monday, Oct. 16.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
