NORTH FORK – Crews are on scene of two fires burning along Mammoth Pool Road (Forest Road 4S81) near the Redinger Lake Overlook east of North Fork on Castle Peak.
At about 11:30 p.m., the Sierra National Forest responded to reports of two separate roadside fires, one about 1/4 mile north of the overlook, and a second near Campers Corner about 1/2 mile northeast of the first.
The first unit at scene reported the Redinger Fire (on the south) at about four acres and the Castle Fire at about six acres. Both fires are burning on the north side of the road.
Sierra National Forest requested assistance from state engines, and a strike team of Cal Fire engines responded, along with water tenders.
Just after 12:30 a.m., the Redinger Fire was estimated at 25 to 30 acres and crews were getting a hose lay in place up the steep mountainside. The Castle Fire was estimated at 15 to 20 acres. At that time, there were no resources on the Castle Fire.
Cal Fire engines arrived at scene at about 12:50 a.m.
Madera County Sheriff’s deputies closed down the road at the overlook in the initial stages of the fire, but it has since been reopened. Fire Equipment is staged along the uphill lane, and motorists are asked to use extreme caution when driving through the area.
At 1:35 a.m., two crews from Mt. Bullion were called out to respond.
Many of these firefighters had just been released from a vegetation fire on Road 406 near Road 209 at the old quarry. That fire was contained and controlled at 1.5 acres around 11 p.m.
As of 2 a.m., the Redinger and Castle Fires were estimated at 60 and 40 acres respectively.
By 8 a.m., the two fires were estimated at 170 acres with 20 percent containment.
There are currently 13 engines, 4 crews, 3 water tenders and 2 dozers working the incident, with resources from Cal Fire and Madera County fire assisting the Sierra National Forest.
Air Attack arrived overhead just before 8 a.m., and air tankers and helicopters are en route.
We will update here as conditions develop.
