Evacuations ordered in Fresno County fire

A fire in the Fresno County foothills Monday that led to the evacuation of four homes has grown to about 25 acres east of the Big Sandy Rancheria.

The Musick fire is burning in the area of Mathews Mill, which is east of Auberry and west of Shaver Lake, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office reports.

The area is sparsely populated. Mandatory evacuation notices were ordered to residents of four homes along Old Railroad Grade Road, near Jose Basin Road.

Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti said that the Dogwood Mountain subdivision, which has several dozen homes, is being notified that it may need to evacuate if the fire becomes more intense.

Several spot fires flared up a short distance from the main fire on U.S. Forest Service land, which had grown to about 25 acres by 4:30 p.m., officials said.

The fire, first reported about 12:15 p.m. Monday, was between five and 10 acres in size about 1:30 p.m.

The fire was being fought on the ground and by air. Some firefighters were sent over from the Willow fire in Madera County to assist.

Dirk Charley, a spokesman for the forest service, said a “full response” was ordered shortly after the blaze was discovered.

Members of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, Cal Fire and Sierra National Forest are responding to the area.

This story will be updated.

This story was originally published August 10, 2015 at 1:47 PM with the headline "Evacuations ordered in Fresno County fire."