Updated Information: Arson the Cause of Oakhurst Area Fires
Latest Information from CAL Fire on fire investigations. Please read carefully. All questions are being handled by CAL Fire at this time.
September 18, 2014
OAKHURST FIRE CAUSES
CAL FIRE Investigators, in cooperation with investigators from the United States Forest Service, have identified a juvenile suspect, in connection with a series of arson fires in Madera County. The fires all occurred in the Oakhurst area over the past several months. The case will be referred to the District Attorney in Madera County for appropriate action. The suspect allegedly intentionally started 13 fires.
The juvenile is not responsible for starting the active Courtney Fire, which has been burning since Sunday. CAL FIRE in cooperation with the Madera County Sheriff’s Department has identified the person believed to be responsible for starting the Courtney Fire. This case will also be referred to the District Attorney’s Office for appropriate action.
Investigators are still working on determining a cause for the Junction Fire; however, they do not believe either of these two individuals are connected with the cause of this fire.
CALIFORNIA CAN’T AFFORD WILDFIRES!
Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit
CAL FIRE NEWS RELEASE
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Sheriff's Office clearing up misinformation that is popping up on some internet sites.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS THE MOST ACCURATE AND UPDATED INFORMATION REGARDING ROAD CLOSURES: Road 426 is closed to non residents between Summit Drive and Road 223. ONLY RESIDENTS with a pass issued by the Madera County Sheriff's office will be allowed entry.
Starting 9 AM on Saturday, September 20 TRUE VALUE OF OAKHURST will be on hand to assist those impacted by the #CourtneyFire. They will be stationed at the corner of Road 426 and Pine Street in front of the big yellow house.
Advisory to EVERYONE impacted by the Courtney Fire
Madera County Sheriff John Anderson, Director of The Madera County Office of Emergency Services, is reaching out to everyone impacted by the Courtney Fire disaster.
Regardless of the level of damage you may have suffered during this disaster, you are urged to fill out a damage survey, so that we can better assist you during recovery.
The Courtney Disaster Survey is not an application for assistance. The purpose of the document is to gather information to assess the level of assistance needed and to determine the extent of the disaster.
Sheriff’s personnel have a booth at the Oakhurst Community Center, staffed until 2 PM today.
After 2 PM today, citizens can go to the following locations:
Friday, September 19 -- from 11 AM – 3 PM GROCERY OUTLET (40301 Junction Dr.) , located on Junction Drive in Oakhurst.
FRIDAY NIGHT – Sheriff’s personnel will be available during Miller’s BBQ for those impacted by the Courtney fire. We will be operating a booth during the event between 5 PM and 9 PM.
Saturday, September 20 -- Raley’s Shopping Center (40041 California 49) 9 AM – 11 AM -- located at the corner of highway 41 and Highway 49.
Sheriff’s Staff will also be available to register citizens who still have not signed up with MC-Alert.
If you cannot make it to any of the venues listed above, the Sheriff’s office urges those who suffered damage and or loss, to call the Sheriff’s Office and ask for PIO Erica Stuart, 559-675-7770.
Again, the purpose of this survey is to help us find assistance programs, including grant dollars that we can bring into our community; as well as using this survey to help the Office of Emergency Services in assessing the impact of the Courtney fire disaster.
Update for 6:00 P.M.
| Courtney Fire Incident Information | ||
| Last Updated: |
September 18, 2014 6:00 pm |
|
| Date/Time Started: |
September 14, 2014 1:36 pm |
|
| Administrative Unit: |
CAL FIRE Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit |
|
| County: |
Madera County |
|
| Location: |
Courtney Lane and 7 Hills Rd, Oakhurst |
|
| Acres Burned - Containment: |
320 acres - 90% contained |
|
| Structures Destroyed: |
30 residences, 19 outbuildings, 13 vehicles and 4 recreational vehicles destroyed and 4 residences, 3 outbuildings and 2 vehicles damaged |
|
| Evacuations: |
As of September 17, 2014 at 6 p.m. all evacuation orders have been lifted. Residents should remain cautious of fire personnel and equipment working in the area. |
|
| Road Closures : |
Road 426 between Summit Road and Road 223 is open to residents only. Residents must obtain a entrance pass through Madera County |
|
| Injuries: |
4 |
|
| Cause: |
Under Investigation |
|
| Cooperating Agencies: |
CAL FIRE, USFS, CAL OES, Madera County Fire Department, Madera County Sheriff’s Department, PG&E, Red Cross, Sierra Telephone, CHP, Hillview Water District, and Local Government Resources within the Central Valley. |
|
| Total Fire Personnel: |
490 |
|
| Total Fire Engines: |
40 |
|
| Total Fire crews: |
16 |
|
| Total Dozers: |
1 |
|
| Total Water Tenders: |
4 |
|
| Long/Lat: |
-119.604124/37.311915 |
|
| Conditions: |
Areas outside the control lines will be closely monitored for any new spot fires. The crews will continue mopping up and looking for hot spots within containment lines. Interior portions of the fire may produce smoke. Residents are encouraged to register for emergency alerts within Madera County at www.mcalert.org or 559-675-7770 |
|
| Phone Numbers |
(209) 966-4784 (Courtney Fire Information Line) |
|
Update: 9:20 A.M.
80% Containment
Fire Information Line: 209-966-4784
Start Date & Report Time: September 14, 2014 – 1:36 P.M.
Acres: 320
Containment: 80%
Expected Containment:
Fire Engines: 60
Water Tender: 10
Fire Crews: 17
Bulldozers: 1
Helicopters: 0
Airtankers: 0
Total Personnel: 631
Injuries: 4
Structures Destroyed/Damaged: 30 Residences Destroyed
4 Residences Damaged
19 Outbuildings Destroyed
3 Outbuildings Damaged
13 Vehicles Destroyed
2 Vehicles Damaged
4 Recreational Vehicles Destroyed
Cause: Under Investigation
Current Situation: Areas outside the control lines will be closely monitored for any new spot fires. The crews will continue mopping up and looking for hot spots within containment lines. Interior portions of the fire may produce smoke.
Evacuations: ****Effective September 17, 2014 at 6:00 PM all Evacuation Orders are lifted.
Residents should remain cautious of fire personnel and equipment working in the area.
Road Closures: Road 426 between Summit Road and Road 223 is open to residents only. Residents must obtain a entrance pass through Madera County Sheriff at the Oakhurst Substation on Liberty Drive.
Evacuation Centers: Oakhurst Community Center, 39800 Fresno Flats Road
Cooperating Agencies: CAL FIRE, USFS, CAL OES, Madera County Fire Department, Madera County Sheriff’s Department, PG&E, Red Cross, Sierra Telephone, Hillview Water District, and Local Government Resources within the Central Valley.
Additional Information: Residents who need more information can go to www.fire.ca.gov or contact the Courtney Fire Information Line at 209-966-4784.
Residents are encouraged to register for emergency alerts within Madera County at www.mcalert.org or 559-675-7770
Update for 6:00 P.M. Wednesday Evening
70% contained
| Courtney Fire Incident Information: | |||
| Last Updated: | September 17, 2014 6:00 pm | ||
| Date/Time Started: | September 14, 2014 1:36 pm | ||
| Administrative Unit: | CAL FIRE Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit | ||
| County: | Madera County | ||
| Location: | Courtney Lane and 7 Hills Rd, Oakhurst | ||
| Acres Burned - Containment: | 320 acres - 70% contained | ||
| Structures Destroyed: | 30 residences, 19 outbuildings, 13 vehicles and 4 recreational vehicles destroyed and 4 residences, 3 outbuildings and 2 vehicles damaged | ||
| Evacuations: | As of September 17, 2014 at 6 p.m. all evacuation orders have been lifted. Residents should remain cautious of fire personnel and equipment working in the area. | ||
| Road Closures : | Road 426 between Summit Road and Road 223 is open to residents only. Residents must obtain a entrance pass through Madera County | ||
| Injuries: | 4 | ||
| Cause: | Under Investigation | ||
| Cooperating Agencies: | CAL FIRE, USFS, CAL OES, Madera County Fire Department, Madera County Sheriff’s Department, PG&E, Red Cross, Sierra Telephone, CHP, Hillview Water District, and Local Government Resources within the Central Valley. | ||
| Total Fire Personnel: | 631 | ||
| Total Fire Engines: | 60 | ||
| Total Fire crews: | 17 | ||
| Total Dozers: | 1 | ||
| Total Water Tenders: | 10 | ||
| Long/Lat: | -119.604124/37.311915 | ||
| Conditions: | Areas outside the control lines will be closely monitored for any new spot fires. The crews will continue mopping up and looking for hot spots within containment lines. Interior portions of the fire may produce smoke. Residents are encouraged to register for emergency alerts within Madera County at: www.mcalert.org or 559-675-7770 |
||
| Phone Numbers | (209) 966-4784 (Courtney Fire Information Line) | ||
