Update: Excavator Blamed For Igniting Baker Fire

Post at 6 p.m.: Cal Fire dispatch reports the fire is holding at 57 acres and crews hope to have full containment by Friday evening.  Firefighters will remain on scene mopping up overnight.

Original post at 9:47 p.m.: Copperopolis, CA — CAL Fire has determined what ignited the Baker Fire in Copperopolis.

Spokesperson Lindy Shoff says it was caused by an individual using an excavator. The unidentified individual has been given a citation for Public Resources Code 4422(b), which is allowing a fire to “burn lands of another.” No further details about the cause have been released, but Shoff notes that it was not connected to a marijuana grow, as some other recent fires have been.

The Baker Fire is 57 acres and 75% contained. There remains 10 engines on scene today, two hand crews and three water tenders. It ignited during the three o’clock hour Thursday afternoon near the area of Baker Street and School Street.

Click here to read a story from yesterday detailing the fire’s progression.