Over 100 acres burn in Rolling Hills near highway

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – Crews are actively working to contain a fire over 100 acres along Highway 41 in Madera County, north of Fresno Sunday evening, Cal Fire announced.

Firefighters say just before 5 p.m. they responded to a fire that ignited along Highway 41 near Avenue 11 in Rolling Hills.

Upon arrival, crews reported an acre of grass on fire however, the wind picked up and quickly moved the fire within minutes from a moderate to a dangerous rate of spread toward the San Joaquin River. Additional resources were called to assist.

Cal Fire says at one point, an abandoned structure was threatened but the fire has since been mitigated and remains undamaged.

Firefighters report forward progress of the fire has been stopped, leaving them at about 100 to 120 acres with 5% containment. A drop in wind allowed crews to take advantage and moderately slow the rate of spread.

Cal Fire says the sheriff’s office was in the area assisting with evacuation orders and advisories, but those will soon be lifted. Cattle were in the area across the road from the fire but were unaffected.

The cause of the fire is actively under investigation.

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