1 fire contained, but Basin Fire in Fresno County and others still burning, Cal Fire says
The Basin Fire continues to burn in Fresno County amid a sweltering heat wave, but Cal Fire crews have made progress in fighting other area wildfires.
The Lightning Complex Fire was deemed completely contained late Saturday in Fresno County while the French Fire in Mariposa burns, though it covers less area than its Fresno County counterparts, according to an update from Cal Fire.
As the fires burn in dry climate, the San Joaquin Valley and nearby foothills were experiencing a heat wave that could surpass the records of 20 days of more than 100 degrees or 14 days with highs higher than 105, both of which were recorded in the 1980s, according to Fresno Bee archives and the National Weather Service in Hanford.
Basin Fire
More than 14,000 acres have been charred by the Basin Fire, which is about 80% contained after burning for about a dozen days north of Green Cabin Flat Campground, Cal Fire said.
“As this record-breaking heat wave continues, the vegetation becomes drier and the cumulative effects of heat stress makes firefighting more difficult,” Cal Fire said in a Monday update.
The fire has been assigned 872 personnel, 16 crews, 39 engines, eight helicopters, and 15 dozers, Cal Fire said. As the Basin Fire winds down, teams have begun to let some firefighters leave to recuperate and prepare for the next fire.
Campgrounds and trails in the area of the blaze deemed unsafe have been closed, Cal Fire said. The Bald Mountain Base Camp was designated safe as of Friday.
The Basin Fire was being handled by U.S. Forest Service fire teams. For the latest, go to the Forest Service’s incident website.
June Lightning Complex
The Fresno June Lightning Complex fire that followed a series of lightning strikes on June 24 was 100% contained as of Saturday, Cal Fire said.
That wildfire scorched 10,616 acres in multiple fires east of Sanger, the latest update said.
One building was destroyed by the fire, which Monday had 39 personnel and one engine still assigned to it.
French Fire
Relatively small at 908 acres burned, the French Fire led to a significant amount of evacuation orders as it spread so close to Mariposa, shutting down Highway 140 for the larger part of Friday. The highway was re-opened.
As many as 1,100 people were affected by residential evacuations last week, but those orders have since been lifted, according to Cal Fire.
Cal Fire said the fire near French Camp Road and Highway 49 was 60% contained, and had destroyed 11 structures.
The French Fire continued to have a large number of personnel on site with 981. Also committed were 77 engines, 15 dozers and 17 water tenders.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday announced California secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help ensure the availability of resources to suppress the French Fire and other blazes in the state.
More information on the fire is available from the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office.
