MADERA COUNTY — Highway 41 will be reopened through the Oakwood Fire area at 6 a.m. this morning, after a 13-hour closure.
The roadway was closed between Road 200 and Highway 145 at about 5 p.m. Saturday afternoon after the fire jumped the highway and smoke reduced visibility to about 40 feet.
Charred vegetation on Oakwood Fire – photo Cal Fire
The Oakwood Fire started just before 1:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon west of Highway 41 near the intersection of Roads 209 and 406. It quickly spread to over 1,000 acres, driven by gusty winds and fueled by a plentiful supply of dry grass.
Several structures were threatened as the fire moved northeast, crossing Highway 41 near the Rocky Cut, but no structures were lost, and no evacuations were necessary.
The forward progress of the fire was stopped at about 8 p.m. last night.
The cause is under investigation.
