French Fire Fully Contained At MidnightWednesday, July 23, 2008 - 06:00 AM
Bill Johnson
MML News Director
San Andreas, CA -- According to CAL Fire Battalion Chief Chris Jensen the 102 acre French Fire was fully contained at midnight.
The fire was initially reported at approximately 2pm. Origin of the fire was an abandoned container shed on a ridge at the end of French Flat Rd. According to CAL Fire Investigator Rommie Jones the quick-to-spread blaze was human caused. There was no lightning in the area and there was no source of electrical power in the burned out container. Jones noted that shooters will often make use of the isolated area. There were a number of spent shotgun shells adjacent to the container.
A residence at 8598 French Flat Rd. suffered paint damage along with a broken window. Several fruit trees were destroyed. Damage was estimated at $1,250. The damage was caused by an ember that traveled approximately a half-a-mile from the main fire.
According to Jensen resources included Angels City Fire, Tuolumne County Fire Department, Twain Harte Fire, Sonora Fire Department, Columbia Fire, Mi-Wuk-Sugar Pine Fire, Stanislaus Consolidated Fire, Modesto Fire, Oakdale City and Rural Fire and Tuolumne City Fire.
Overall there were 249 personnel on site. Fighting the fire were seven hand crews, four helicopters, eight single resource engines, two strike teams of engines and three dozers.
According to CAL Fire's Lisa Williams the National Guard supplied four C-103 cargo planes that carry 3,000 gallons of retardent each. In addition three air tankers, with a capacity of 1,200 gallons each, were also ordered.
Also on scene: the C.H.P. and the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office.
Full control of the fire is expected Thursday at 8am.
Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com
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