Update: Fires Igniting As Lightning Strikes Occurring Across Region
Update at 12:12 pm: There is a 20-plus-acre fire near the Don Pedro overlook that has air and ground resources assigned.
Update at 12:07 pm: Air and ground resources are continuing to fight a fire in the 20000 block of East Bald Mountain Road in Sonora. It has been putting up a mix of black and white smoke, visible in the downtown district. The fire is estimated to be a couple of acres in size.
There has also been smoke related to small fires in the Cedar Ridge area, and the Vallecito region, which have air resources assigned. They are in addition to the larger incidents in the Copperopolis area.
Update at 11:37 am: There is a new fire spotted in the area of Lyons Bald Mountain Road that officials are arriving on the scene of in Sonora. Smoke is visible from the downtown area. View the fire from our Eye in the Sky Southwest Webcam here.
Update at 10:52 am: In addition to the larger incidents, there have been smaller lightning caused fires in other parts of the Mother Lode. CAL Fire Tuolumne-Calaveras spokesperson Emily Kilgore says there have been 13 fires in the unit, to this point. The largest is the 1,200-acre “2-2 Fire” near Highway 4 and Dutton Road. Highway 4 remains closed in both directions, near the fire. The second biggest is the “2-3 Fire” on O’byrnes Ferry Road, which is around 30 acres. The third is the 2-4 Fire, which is 25 acres, on Highway 4 near Horseshoe Road. All other fires have been under an acre. Some are just a single tree. Smaller fires have been reported near Don Pedro, Sonora, Groveland, Murphys, Angels Camp, and other areas.
Update at 9:46 am: The “2-2 Fire” on Highway 4 near Dutton Road, west of Copperopolis, is now estimated to be 1,200 acres, according to CAL Fire. Firefighters are fully engaged in suppression efforts. Highway 4 remains closed in both directions, near the fire.
Meanwhile, the “2-3 Fire” on O’Byrnes Ferry Road near Reed Turnpike is still estimated to be 20-30 acres.
The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office is monitoring both incidents, working with CAL Fire. The sheriff’s office reports that no evacuation advisories have been issued at this time for the fires.
Update at 8:11 am: Caltrans is closing Highway 4 near Telegraph Road due to the now 400-acre 2-2 Fire. The fire has been moving to the north toward Highway 4. Travelers will need to avoid the area.
Update at 7:51 am: Firefighters are at the scene of a new incident, a 20-30 acre vegetation fire near O’Brynes Ferry Rd and Reed Turnpike in Copperopolis.
Update at 7:05 am: There is a revised size estimate on the 2-2 Fire, which is near Highway 4 and Dutton Road (West of Copperopolis). CAL Fire’s Emily Kilgore says it is estimated to be 300 acres. Additional resources are responding.
Original story posted at 6:54 am: Copperopolis, CA — Numerous lightning strikes have been reported across the Mother Lode region this morning, and also some isolated rainfall.
Fire officials have been busy this morning investigating potential fire starts and will continue to monitor the situation throughout the day. To this point, the forward progress has been stopped on two small incidents, one off of Pool Station Road near Angels Camp, and the other in the Valley Springs/Campo Seco area.
The largest incident is located on Highway 4 near Milton Road (2-2 Fire). It is estimated to be 5-10 acres, according to CAL Fire spokesperson Emily Kilgore. Additional resources are arriving in that area.
