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Fire east of 22 Mile House - photo by Alyssa Foster

Series Of Lightning Strikes Starts Multiple Fires

MADERA COUNTY — A weather cell moving across the valley and into the foothills between the 22 Mile House and O’Neals has sparked numerous lightning fires.

Firefighters first responded to a fire near Ponderosa Telephone in O’Neals on Road 200 and Road 201. The fire was reported at about 4:30, and at 5:08 p.m., the fire was contained and engines en route were diverted to other fires.

Several more are reported burning in the Road 209 and Road 406 area, with others along Highway 41, including a three-acre fire near the intersection of Road 208.

Helicopters are in the air to locate other starts, and more engines, dozers and fixed-wing aircraft are in route.

Fire officials say they will treat this as a lightning activity series and are organizing the attack as a group of fires.

Five more small fires have just been reported, just south of Road 406.

A fire at 41484 Road 406 is reportedly threatening a structure. (see map below)

Another fire is off Road 406 on Red Mountain Road, and the largest is off Road 208.

At 5:25 p.m., another lightning fire was reported on Yosemite Springs Parkway near the address 28519.

As small fires are contained, engines are being released to respond to the next report.

Engines are attempting to make access to a fire reported on Red Top Mountain, off Road 207. (see map below). Air resources made some good, effective drops on the Red Fire.

At 5:56 p.m., the fire on Red Top was called contained, and engines not needed there were directed to other starts.

An Incident Command Post has been set up at the 22 Mile House.

Some precipitation is being reported over the area.

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