Brush Fire Near Sheep Ranch

Calaveras County firefighters battled about a 5-acre grass and brush fire in the area of Armstrong Road near the community of Sheep Ranch. The fire was first reported around 3:20 p.m. Saturday afternoon in a rocky and remote area northeast of Murphys. Fire officals say the fire was burning low grass and brush in a rocky uphill location and should be held to no more than five acres in size when brought under control this evening. Firefighters were making good progress on the blaze. Additional fire units and three CDF inmate fire hand crews were being called in as well to handle the fire and mop-up efforts.