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Two Evening Fires Keep Crews Busy

MOUNTAIN AREA — Firefighters were scrambling to respond to two separate fires reported within minutes of each other this evening.

Just before 9 p.m., crews were called out to reports of a vegetation fire on Road 400 just south of Yosemite Springs Parkway. A full wildland dispatch was called up, including dozers and one engine out of Fresno.

Just moments later, a fire was reported on Watt Road just south of Highway 49. Resources were dispatched to that fire, but the Battalion Chief assigned immediately noted only three Type 3 engines on the dispatch, and requested three more.

As the Command Center scrambled to identify additional resources available to fulfill that request, the first engine at scene near YLP reported that a juvenile had apparently started a campfire, and requested an investigator be sent to the scene.

With all incoming to the YLP incident being cancelled, those resources became available, and most were diverted to the Watt incident, with some engines sent to cover unmanned stations.

The fire on Watt Road was initially estimated at about 4 acres, burning in grass with one structure threatened. That was later downgraded to just under 2 acres. At 9:35 p.m., the Incident Commander cancelled any engines not already at scene.

The Watt Fire was contained at 10:04 p.m.

The juvenile at the YLP incident was reportedly located, with the next step to locate the parents.

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Sierra News Online

Sierra News Online