Fire near Malaga multiplies onto highway in Fresno County

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – What initially began as a grass fire quickly erupted into four fires near Malaga Friday evening, according to the Fresno County Fire Department.

Firefighters say around 9 p.m. they responded to a vegetation fire at the end of Muscat Avenue on Maple Avenue where they found a field of grass on fire.

As crews began working the fire, embers picked up by windy conditions spread to the center divide of Highway 99 and a second fire ignited.

The wind then blew embers over to the northbound shoulder of the highway which firefighters say sparked another fire. The fourth fire ignited once embers reached a commercial vehicle parked in the area.

Due to the fire, officials reported multiple lanes were shut down near the Chestnut Avenue off-ramp on Highway 99.

Crews add aside from windy conditions, another obstacle they faced was downed powerlines in the area of the initial fire that posed a danger. PG&E advised them to avoid them until the power was cut.

Fresno County Fire says Environmental Health, CHP, PG&E, Fresno Fire Department, Clovis Fire Department, and American Ambulance responded to the scene.

In total, investigators say the fires burned about two and a half acres and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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