RAYMOND — A escaped control burn north of Raymond this morning is a reminder that the recent snows have not brought enough moisture to prevent the unintended spread of fire as residents burn debris piles.
As of noon today, firefighters are at scene of an escaped control burn in the Raymond area just off Road 600.
Just after 11 a.m. reports came in of a vegetation fire on Eagle Court. The first unit at scene reported the fire at about one acre, burning in annual grass and brush, and requested two additional engines.
By 11:50 a.m., the fire had grown to about five acres and had crossed onto the neighboring property. A hand crew out of Mt. Bullion was dispatched to the scene, along with another water tender.
At 12:18 p.m., the incident commander called the fire contained at an estimated five acres. It burned from grass into some heavier brush and he estimates it will be 3 – 4 hours for complete control and mop-up.
This is just one of several escaped burns to which firefighters have responded in the past few days. Earlier this morning, a fire was reported near Bass Lake when someone apparently dumped ashes from a wood stove onto the ground and the vegetation caught fire.
At 12:45 p.m., reports came in of yet another escaped control burn, this one on Longo Road off Road 415 in Coarsegold.
Residents should be aware that though recent snows have dampened light fuels, it doesn’t take much heat from a nearby fire to dry out grasses and let a fire run.
Always be sure your fire is attended at all times, and check for permissive burn days. Burn permits are required, are free of charge, and available at your local fire station.
