COARSEGOLD – A fire along Highway 41 this afternoon, just north of Coarsegold, slowed traffic but didn’t result in any lane closures.
At 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, crews, dozers and aircraft were dispatched to the intersection of Highway 41 and Serpa Canyon for reports of a vegetation fire.
One structure was initially threatened, but firefighters defended that area first and mitigated any danger.
Madera County Engines 11, 15, 16 and 18 responded to the incident, along with Cal Fire Engines from the local Unit and several out-of-county resources.
Firefighters had a hose lay around the fire and had stopped the forward progress within 30 minutes of the dispatch. Air tankers were called up, but were not needed as crews on the ground worked quickly to hold the blaze at just over two acres. An Air Attack circled overhead for about an hour, and one helicopter was available at the scene if needed.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. As of 5:30 p.m., crews are still working in the area, and motorists are urged to use caution and slow down when traveling through the canyon. CHP is on scene.
