Update: Fire In Stanislaus National Forest Near Pinecrest
AIrcraft working the Dodge Fire burning near Pinecrest Lake in the Stanislaus National Forest
Update at 6 p.m.: The Dodge Fire is around a quarter to a half-acre in size and is burning east of Pinecrest Lake in the Stanislaus National Forest (STF). Forest fire officials tell Clarke Broadcasting that the initial fire sparked multiple spot fires, all within the current half acre, with one spot fire still burning. The flames broke out near Crabtree Road and Dodge Ridge Road and were moving at a slow rate of spread in heavy timber. No structures are threatened. There have been reports that the blaze started from a campfire. STF spokesperson Ben Cossel detailed, “Investigators are on the scene, but no cause has yet been determined.” Ground crews will remain on the scene overnight working the fire. Air resources were called off and returned back to Columbia.
Update at 5:25: The blaze burning in the brush in the Stanislaus National Forest is now being called the Dodge Fire. There are reports that it was ignited by an escaped campfire, but no official cause has been given by forest fire officials. Further details on the blaze are below.
Update at 4:45 p.m.: One fire that then ignited another is producing two plumes of smoke in the skies east of Pinecrest Lake in the Stanislaus National Forest. Fire officials report that both blazes are about a quarter acre in size. The flames broke out along Dodge Ridge Road near Crabtree Road and are moving at a slow rate of spread with no structures threatened. Additionally, they add that the fires are on rough terrain and cannot be easily reached on foot. Aircraft have been dropping retardant and water on the blazes.
Update at 4:25 p.m.: Stanislaus National Forest fire officials have called in additional CAL Fire resources to help battle a blaze east of Pinecrest Lake. The flames broke out along Dodge Ridge Road near Crabtree Road east of Pinecrest Lake in Tuolumne County. There is still no word regarding the fire’s size or the flames’ rate of spread or whether any structures are threatened.
Update at 4 p.m.: There appear to be two plumes of smoke now in the skies over the Pinecrest area in the Stanislaus National Forest, as can be seen in the image box picture. Two planes have been dropping water and retardant on the fire. The flames broke out along Dodge Ridge Road near Crabtree Road east of Pinecrest Lake in Tuolumne County. There is still no word regarding the fire’s size or the flames’ rate of spread or whether any structures are threatened.
Original post at 3:25 p.m.: Pinecrest, CA — A plume of smoke can be seen rising to the east of Pinecrest Lake in the Stanislaus National Forest this afternoon.
CAL Fire engine crews and a dozer have been called to assist with a vegetation fire on Dodge Ridge Road near Crabtree Road in Tuolumne County. There are currently no details on the fire’s activity or whether any structures are threatened. An update will be provided as soon as new information comes into the newsroom.
