Update: Big Creek Fire Containment Grows

Groveland, CA — Cal Fire reports crews are making progress on getting a line around the Big Creek Fire.

Cal Fire reports the fire is 35 percent contained and held at 204 acres.  Cal Fire spokesperson Nancy Longmore says that crews made good progress on line construction Thursday. She adds, “Crews will work through the night taking advantage of the cooler temperatures and higher humidity.”

As first reported by Clarke Broadcasting, Tuolumne County Sheriff’s spokesman Scott Johnson reported that at 7 p.m. all residents in the Hells Hollow area were allowed back into their homes as  the voluntary evacuation notice was lifted.

On Thursday morning, Cal fire had initially reported the fire’s acreage at 265, but in the afternoon, with better mapping, downsized it to  204 acres and five percent contained.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.  Resources on scene include 515 firefighters, 43 fire engines, five bulldozers, seven water tenders, and ten fire crews on the ground for the night.

A special thanks to our community news partners Cindy Simpson and Michael Bartlett for sending in these photos.