MADERA COUNTY – Firefighters are on scene of a wildfire burning east of Highway 41 on Road 204 near the new Tesoro Viejo development in the Sumner Hill area.
The fire was reported at about 3 p.m., and the first unit at scene reported it at about one acre, burning in light flash fuels with a slow rate of spread. It started on the south side of Road 204.
At 3:15 p.m., the incident commander reported that the winds had come up and were pushing the fire. He requested three additional engines and two water tenders.
Just four minutes later, the fire had jumped the road and the IC requested a full wildland dispatch to respond. Five additional engines, a dozer, and two crews out of Mt. Bullion were called out.
By 3:30 p.m., the fire was estimated at 25 acres and was threatening houses on Killarney Drive.
At 3:41 p.m., Air Attack lifted off Fresno en route to the fire, which has been dubbed the Wheat Fire. Helicopter 520 lifted off Trimmer en route to the fire a few minutes later. Two additional air tankers sat on hold at their bases in case they were needed.
By 4:12 p.m. the forward progress on the north and south had been mitigated. The fire was estimated at 50 to 75 acres. High tension power lines present a threat to aircraft.
At 4:16 p.m., all units not already on scene at the Wheat Fire were cancelled en route, including two engines, one Mt. Bullion crew and one water tender.
At 4:24 p.m., Air Attack, two air tankers and Helicopter 520 were released.
At 4:45 p.m., the IC estimated one hour for the commitment of State resources. The fire was burning in a Local Responsibility Area.
The fire was contained at 7:49 p.m. at 116 acres. There are no reports of any damage to structures.
Initial reports were that the fire was started by people working in a field with machinery, though Cal Fire has not released the official cause.
