NORTH FORK – A fire on Road 200 moved at an alarming rate through the dry grass on the east side of the road, but quick work by firefighters had it knocked down within minutes of their arrival.
At 3:35 p.m., reports of a vegetation fire on Walker Grade prompted a full wildland response. A Madera County Fire engine was first at scene followed quickly by Sierra National Forest E51.
As the fire raced through the grass, pushed by upslope winds, firefighters got water across the leading edge and around the perimeter in short order.
The forward progress was stopped by 3:50 p.m. at less than one acre, with an estimate of about 90 minutes commitment time.
The fire appeared to have started right next to the road, and the cause remains under investigation.