Firefighters Getting “Handle” On Sonora Blaze

Firefighting Aircraft are dropping water and fire retardant on the head of this fire currently burning off Murphy Road and Old Wards Ferry´s Road southeast of downtown Sonora.

Fire officials now say firefighters are making good progress on stopping this blaze. They estimate the fire to be between 8 and 15 acres. That fire first reported about 3:20 p.m. this afternoon.

Numerous fire engines, 2 dozers, 4 air tankers, 2 helicopters and a hand crew were working the fire. County Fire Marshal Kary Hubbard says they are getting a “good handle” on the blaze.

She says although several homes and structures were threatened by the flames, there is NO need for any evacuations at this time. Fire officials are estimating containment by about 6 p.m. tonight.

Fire officials are urging people to stay out of the area. CHP officers and Sheriffs deputies are in the fire zone and are enforcing traffic restrictions.

Air tankers that were working this Sonora fire have now been diverted to a new fire burning about 4 acres on the south shore of Lake Comanche in the far western corner of Calaveras County.