NORTH FORK – Residents in the North Fork area were greeted with the smell of smoke this morning as crews continue working to contain a fire burning on the Sierra National Forest near Fish Creek Campground on the Bass Lake District.
The Fish Fire is burning entirely inside the perimeter of the 2014 French Fire on the downhill side of Forest Road 4S81 (Mammoth Pool/ Minarets Road) above the San Joaquin River, in heavy brush and fallen timber, at a moderate rate of spread.
Approximately 95 acres have burned, and officials report 35 percent containment as of 10:45 a.m.
There are 130 personnel actively engaged in suppressing the fire including six fire engine crews, three Hotshot crews, one type II hand crew, three helicopters, two air tankers and one air attack. Additional resources ordered include a strike team from the Stanislaus National Forest.
The Cal Fire engines and personnel that assisted in the initial attack overnight were released back to their units this morning.
There are no road closures at this time, and as a precaution three campers were evacuated from the nearby Fish Creek Campground and the campground has been closed.
The priority is to keep the east flank of the fire from entering the San Joaquin River drainage, and Forest officials say that excellent progress has been made with this focused priority.
The recreational areas in close proximity to the Fish Fire can expect to be potentially impacted by varying degrees of smoke, for more information you can learn about air quality, and receive daily smoke forecasts by visiting wither www.airnow.gov or www.valleyair.org.
Updates on the Fish Fire will made available as more information is provided.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
