O’NEALS – A vegetation fire along Highway 41 in the O’Neals area this morning closed the roadway, forcing traffic onto a detour route, and resulting in the injury of a Sheriff’s deputy.
At about 5:19 a.m., reports came in of a fire in the area of Road 406, south of Road 200. The fire was burning on the west side of the road.
Highway 41 was closed down in both directions as firefighters worked to get a hose lay around the perimeter. The fire was contained at 1/2 acre by about 6:45 a.m.
A Madera County Sheriff’s sergeant suffered minor injuries when he was struck in the face by a piece of debris while fighting the fire. The sergeant was transported to a Valley hospital where he was treated, cleared and released to full duty.
One-lane traffic control was put in place at about 6:40 a.m., but the southbound lane is expected to remain closed until at least 8 a.m. as an investigation is conducted.
Watch for emergency vehicles in the area and expect possible delays.
