“Woodlot Fire” Contained, Crews to Mop Up Through Sunday

Authorities say the 450-acre wildfire in Southern Tuolumne County is now fully contained.

Fire Command Center spokeswoman Debbie Santiago said containment means “The horses are in the corral, now we´re going to make them behave.” She also said about 300 firefighters will be on the scene through Sunday to mop up the fire and ensure ther aren´t any flare-ups.

As many as 800 firefighters were working the blaze at one time. Some homes were threatened but none were damaged. Authorities credited some prescribed burning near the Mariposa County town of El Portal.

The cause is still under investigation, but officials say they´re sure it was caused by a human.

Arson has not been ruled out, but Santiago said it was likely accidental. “Human caused can mean equipment, power lines, cars, smoking…all the things we do to recreate in our area,” she said. “People just need to be safe out there.”