Update: Fire Continues To Burn Near Cedar Ridge
Update at 5:30pm: The Forest Service reports that 273 firefighters are now assigned to the Quarter Fire burning in the Stanislaus River Canyon near Cedar Ridge. It includes three air tankers, three helicopters, 11 engines and five hand crews.
The Forest Service reports, “The fire is only burring on the north side of the river and is holding at 15 acres. The US Forest Service is working with CAL Fire resources to suppress the fire which is located in a very isolated area with difficult access for fire equipment and crews.”
Fire personnel were finally able to access the fire line around 3pm today and have been working on contingency lines, as well as structure protection. A larger Type 1 Incident Management Team has been ordered and is anticipated to take over the operations at noon on Monday. Dry conditions and hot temperatures are anticipated over the next few days.
The fire has been fought as a “full suppression” effort from the start, according to the Forest Service.
The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office’s Evacuation Advisory remains in effect for all of Cedar Ridge.
Fire Overview: the fire size held at 10 acres, the containment jumped from 10-percent as reported here on June 23, to 60 percent later in the same day here. A drone’s interference in the fire fight was detailed here. Containment details were posted here.
Update at 4:20pm: The Stanislaus National Forest reports that the Quarter Fire near Cedar Ridge has been holding at 15 acres this afternoon. There is no containment yet as the area is very difficult to access, and crews have just been able to physically get down to the fire area within the last hour or so. Air resources have been successful in keeping it within the 15-acre footprint. The earlier evacuation advisory for all of Cedar Ridge remains in place, according to the sheriff’s office.
Update at 1:20pm: The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office has decided to place all of Cedar Ridge under an evacuation advisory due to the Quarter Fire. Reverse 911 calls will be made to those residents to notify them of the notice. The latest size estimate for the Quarter Fire, per the Stanislaus National Forest, is 15 acres. More details regarding the fire can be found below.
Update at 12:50pm: The Quarter Fire has been holding at 15 acres near Cedar Ridge along the south fork of the Stanislaus River Canyon.
The Stanislaus National Forest reports, “Fixed-wing aircraft are concentrating on the north flank and head of the fire with retardant drops while helicopters are working the south end of the fire. Structure protection is being done for homes to the north-west of the fire along Grant Ridge (Forest Road 3N11) and contingency lines are being established on the north-side of Cedar Ridge. Ground crews are making access on the south side of the fire.
You can view webcam images of the fire by clicking here.
The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office continues to issue an advisory evacuation notice for residents on the north side of Estralita Drive and Keltz Mine Road.
A special thanks to community news partner Charles Lortz for submitting a photo. Pictures can be emailed to news@clarkebroadcasting.com.
Update at 11:50am: Air resources continue to battle the Quarter Fire in the Stanislaus National Forest. No new size estimate has been released nor are there any changes to the evacuation advisories. Click here to view a webcam aimed at the fire area. More details regarding the fire can be found below.
Update at 8:57am: The US Forest Service reports that a fire near Cedar Ridge is now approximately 15 acres.
It is being referred to as the “Quarter Fire” and is located on the south fork of the Stanislaus River Canyon, approximately three miles upstream of the Lost Dutchman Mining Association property in the Grant Ridge 3N11 area.
The fire held on the north side of the river overnight. Aircraft will be up again fighting the fire at around 9:30am. Ground resources are still trying to gain access to the area.
The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office continues to issue an advisory evacuation notice for residents on the north side of Estralita Drive and Keltz Mine Road. Residents in that area should be prepared for an evacuation, and others are asked to avoid the area.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Original story at 8:13am: Sonora, CA — Air resources will be busy today trying to gain some containment on a wildfire that ignited late yesterday near Cedar Ridge.
The fire was first reported last night near Forest Road 3N11. It is situated in a hard to access canyon in the Rose Creek area. The US Forest Service took over operations from CAL Fire late yesterday. The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office continues to issue an advisory evacuation notice for residents on the north side of Estralita Drive and Keltz Mine Road. Residents in that area should be prepared for an evacuation, and others are asked to avoid the area.
The latest size estimate released by fire officials is around three acres.
