Investigators Seeking Information On Peak Fire Cause

Sonora, CA – Investigators with the Stanislaus National Forest are reaching out to the public for help in determining what sparked the Peak Fire, burning near Herring Creek northeast of Pinecrest.

Forest officials say they are looking specifically for people who were on Forest Road 4N12 from Saturday, September 28, 2024, through Wednesday, October 2, when the flames broke out just after noon.

The origin of the blaze was located by investigators just off Forest Road 4N12 Road, northeast of the Trail of the Gargoyles Trailhead in the Herring Creek area. This area is popular with hunters, equestrian use, OHV riders, and campers, and while investigators have been able to speak to multiple witnesses, they also wanted to alert the public in case anyone saw anything suspicious in the area or has new information to contact Fire Investigator Joe Cook at 530-906-2087 or joseph.m.cook@usda.gov

While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, forest officials want to remind the public that fire restrictions remain in place. Campers should make sure a campfire is “dead-out” and check with your local ranger district office to know what the current fire restrictions for the area are.

“It is always critical to practice proper campfire safety but even more so with the current hot, we currently face on the forest,” noted fire officials. Click here for campfire safety rules.