How to resolve AdBlock issue? MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Firefighters have contained a small vegetation fire that broke out early Saturday afternoon near Middletown.
The fire, located at 14255 Big Canyon Road, was called in just before 12:30 p.m., according to Cal Fire Battalion Chief Greg Bertelli.
Ted Dunn, who lives on the property next door to the fire, told Lake County News that he called in the fire.
He said he and his wife started smelling smoke late Saturday morning. They also heard chainsaws and ATVs leaving the area, although they didn't actually see any people.
He and a friend headed out in different directions to look for the fire, with his friend spotting the flames, leading to Dunn's 911 call.
Bertelli said Cal Fire and South Lake County Fire responded with one handcrew, two engines and a helicopter that did bucket drops.
He said the fire was two-thirds of the way up a hill and difficult to access.
“It just took awhile to get resources in there,” Bertelli said.
The fire was contained shortly before 3:30 p.m., at just under an acre and a half, with no structures threatened, Bertelli said.
Bertelli said the fire's cause is under investigation.
“We're eliminating causes right now as we speak,” Bertelli said shortly after the fire was contained.
Dunn said he believed it was possible that the fire resulted from tree cutting in the area, reporting that he's seen downed trees in the vicinity.
Email Elizabeth Larson at elarson@lakeconews.com . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
