Turkey Ranch Workers Help Firefighting Efforts

A quick moving wildfire Thursday morning at the Diestel Turkey Ranch blacken around 8 to 10 acres. Fire crews and aircraft were first dispatched at 11:42 a.m. to the ranch on 22200 Lyons Bald Mountain Road.

Tuolumne County Fire Marshall Kari Hubbard said 25 of the ranch´s employees — who grabbed hoses and fire extinguishers before the firefighters got to the scene — are being credited for saving a number of structures threatened by flames. “We want to give credit where credit is due,” Hubbard said.

“They have a truck shop out here which has diesel fuel stored,” she said. “That was an excellent save.” Hubbard added, There was a lot of combustible materials out here.”

Several homes were in the fire´s path as well, but none were damaged.

Smoke was visible from around the Sonora area as the fire burnt grass and oak woodland. A number of wooden feeding bins were destroyed or damaged by the fire.

Firefighters from California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, U.S. Forest Service, Sonora City, and Baseline Camp fire crews responded to the blaze, as well as a dozer and several CDF aircraft.

Diestel Turkey Ranch officials say no animals were injured during the fire. Hubbard said 6,000 baby turkeys, worth $5 each were saved. She said $8,000 damage was done to fencing and feeders.