Officials identify cause of French Fire, which burned 900-plus acres in Mariposa County

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection announced it has determined the cause of the French Fire, which burned more than 900 acres of land and damaged more than a dozen structures in Mariposa County.

According to fire officials, the cause of the fire that began on July 4, 20204 in the area of French Camp Road and Highway 49, was determined to be the improper usage of a lawn mower in dry annual grass. Lawn mowers are designed to be used on wet or green lawns, not dry weeds due to the possibility of starting a fire, according Cal Fire..

The French Fire burned about 908 acres of grass, oak woodland brush and timber and destroyed or damaged 18 structures, according to Cal Fire. Of the structures, one single family residence was damaged and three residences were destroyed. The fire also destroyed one commercial structured and damaged two others. Cal Fire said seven minor structures were destroyed and four others were damaged.

Crews were able to achieve 100% containment of the French Fire on July 13, according to a Cal Fire social media post.

A report of the investigation into the fire has been referred to the Mariposa County District Attorney’s Office, according to fire officials. Cal Fire said about 95% of fires in California are caused by people and many of the fires are the result of incorrect operation of equipment, operating equipment at the wrong time of day and without proper defensible space.

Anyone with information regarding an arson fire is asked to contact the Cal Fire arson hotline at 800-468-4408. According to Cal Fire, callers can remain anonymous.