Crews make headway on Santa Nella wildfire

A wildfire in western Merced County has grown by about 300 acres since Sunday evening, but fire crews also have made ground in containing it, according to an update from CalFire.

The fire, near Interstate 5 and McCabe Road, in the area of the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, was estimated at 1,333 acres and 65 percent contained as of 2:30 p.m., according to CalFire spokeswoman Karen Kanawyer. “Crews are making excellent progress” against it, she said, and no structures are threatened.

On Sunday evening, containment was 50 percent. It was reported late Saturday night. The cause of the fire is under investigation; Kanawyer said one possibility is a lightning storm that passed through the area.

Total fire personnel on the scene is 349, according to CalFire, including 10 crews, 42 engines, 13 bulldozers and five water tenders.

A 40 percent chance of thunderstorms and showers in the area could complicate firefighting.

The cause of the fire is not yet clear.

This story was originally published July 20, 2015 at 8:41 AM with the headline "Crews make headway on Santa Nella wildfire."