SONORA — State and federal fire crews are stepping up their efforts to limit the Knight Fire in a remote, sparsely populated region of Tuolumne County.
The fire, which began Sunday afternnon, has charred more than 275 acres of a rugged ridge between the middle and south forks of the Stanislaus River in an area knowns as Jupiter. There is no measurable containment at this point, U.S. Forest Service spokesman Jerry Snyder said.
The fire threatens 25 to 30 cabins, though few — if any — are believed to be year-round residences.
“They’re summer cabins,” he said.
Officials will bring in more personnel Tuesday, nearly doubling the total today to about 550 fire fighters and equipment operators already working the blaze on the ground. They are being aided by seven helicopters and six airplanes.
“We’ll be bringing in several more dozers,” Snyder said. “Lots of equipment.”
The plan is to protect the cabins where possible, he said, and to let the fire burn to the top of the ridge, using the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus as a natural barrier.
Jupiter is accessible by road through Columbia State Park and through Twain Harte. The Knight Fire, so named because Mt. Knight is the high point of the burning ridge, which rises to about 3,500 feet in elevation.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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