Sunday: Melones Fire At 50 Percent Containment

The fire that raced up from along the shores of New Melones Lake Saturday and afternoon threatening homes in the Jack Ass Hill area near Mark Twain´s cabin is now 50 percent contained.

Tuolumne County Fire Marshall Kary Hubbard said Sunday morning firefighters worked throughout the night to get containment lines around the blaze.

“It´s an access issue,” Hubbard said. Fire crews were using boats to get into some of the areas burning along the lake shore near the Highway 49 bridge.

Using a helicopter, officials mapped the fire area last night and determined the exact acerage burned to be 74, Hubbard reported.

“We´re hopeful for containment by tonight,” she added. Lower temperatures and higher humidity overnight and into Sunday were helping in the efforts.

No cause for the fire has been released yet by authorities.