Gold Fire at Millerton grows slightly with containment at 45%, Cal Fire says
UPDATE: Cal Fire reported Thursday morning crews remain on the scene and the fire is at 45 acres and 45% containment.
ORIGINAL STORY: Emergency crews rescued three hikers Wednesday afternoon from a wildfire that broke out near Millerton Lake.
The wildfire, dubbed the Gold Fire, had grown to about 40 to 50 acres as of around 6:30 p.m. with firefighters still battling flames into the evening. Cal Fire reported that it had established 20% containment of the fire so far.
The Gold Fire, located off Sky Harbour Road near the South Finegold Picnic Area in the northern area of the Fresno County side of the lake, initially was at 35-40 acres around 2:25 p.m.
Three hikers were rescued off Pincushion Mountain Trail by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, authorities said. They were dropped off at a boat ramp by Millerton Lake.
Other hikers were already safely out of the area, Cal Fire spokesman Dan Urias said.
Cal Fire is sending additional resources to the fire on ground and air.
The fire was reported just after 1:15 p.m.
No evacuations have been issued, according to the sheriff’s office. Sky Harbour Road is closed to motorists, except for residents of the area.
It is unclear how the fire started.
This story was originally published June 9, 2021 at 2:30 PM.
