Stanislaus crews battle a couple of big, wind-driven vegetation fires

Just an hour into fire weather watch issued by the National Weather Service, the Modesto Fire Department tackled the first of two big vegetation fires Sunday.

The first incident occurred in La Grange and was reported at 9:06 a.m. The fire already was at 20 acres when crews arrived. A battalion chief’s incident report said the fire was at steep drainage, which required the use of hose lays. Hose lays are preconfigured arrangements of fire hoses for high-stress situations.

The blaze was held to 35 acres and crews remained at the area during the afternoon. The cause of the fire was a bird on a power line, the fire department said.

The second incident occurred 12 hours later near Finch and Mariposa roads, east of the Modesto Airport. By the time firefighters arrived, the fire was at three acres and spreading in the grass at a rapid rate. Additional personnel were called to stop the fire’s growth.

The fire reached 22.5 acres and was monitored throughout the evening. Crews were at the scene Monday to remove any burning material, the fire department.

Turlock Rural, Denair, Hughson, Burbank Paradise and Woodland Avenue fire crews assisted with the incident.

Additionally, crews handled multiple grass fire incidents that occurred during windy conditions at Codoni Avenue, Zeff Road and Neece Drive areas on Sunday.

Critical fire weather to occur throughout the week

The two vegetation fires come at a time where rising temperatures and fire weather are happening throughout Northern California.

Elevated fire weather conditions are expected throughout the Central Valley and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta area this week, according to the National Weather Service.

Sunday and Monday, the weather service issued a red flag warning across Northern California areas, including Modesto for gusty winds and low humidity. The warning was to remain in effect until 8 p.m. Monday

Monday’s forecast called for north winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts as high as 35 mph. Relative daytime humidity was anticipated to be 15% to 25%.

The agency foresees minor and moderate fire weather conditions from Tuesday to Thursday. North winds are expected to be lower than Monday’s, at around 10 to 15 mph, with its highest reaching 20 to 30 mph. The minimum daytime humidity is anticipated to be around 10% to 25%, the agency said.

The agency estimates a 97% chance of Modesto having a temperature greater than 90 degrees on Wednesday.