CATHEYS VALLEY – Crews are on scene of a vegetation fire in the Catheys Valley area along Old Highway. To allow firefighters to access the area and for the safety of the public, Old Highway was closed for several hours between White Rock and School House.
The fire was reported by several callers at about noon today near the address of 3043 Old Highway. The first unit at scene reported 5 to 10 acres but the fire quickly spread to what was estimated at 1 p.m. at about 130 acres. At least one structure was threatened.
More than a dozen engines were dispatched along with six ground crews, plus dozers, helicopters and air tankers.
Additional resources were requested from Fresno and the Tuolumne Calaveras Unit.
UPDATE: As of 5 p.m., the fire was estimated at 167 acres with 50 percent containment.
Old Highway has been reopened. There is still fire equipment in the area, and the public is encouraged to stay clear while crews continue their work to totally contain the fire.
We will update here as conditions develop.
