Modesto crews battle 6 fires on Juneteenth. Brace for more critical fire weather
Modesto Fire Department crews responded to six fires Thursday, including a four-alarm blaze that threatened homes and prompted evacuations near the 1800 block of East Hatch Road. The busy day unfolded as temperatures rose and wind conditions shifted — a pattern that forecasters warn will continue into the weekend.
The first fire was reported around 6:30 a.m. near East Whitmore Avenue and Morgan Road. Crews contained the blaze after it burned about 15 acres of open field, threatening nearby homes and commercial buildings.
Just after 2 p.m., firefighters responded to Warnerville Road, where a large pile of railroad ties was burning. That fire was quickly brought under control with help from additional engines and water tenders.
At 2:40 p.m., another vegetation fire ignited in an open field between Seventh and Ninth streets, consuming about 40 acres before it was contained.
Roughly an hour later, crews were called to West Hatch and Carpenter roads, where a river bottom fire was burning uphill toward homes. The call was upgraded to a potential structure fire due to the threat. Eighteen units responded, and firefighters ultimately held the fire to about three acres.
The most intense incident of the day came at about 6 p.m. on East Hatch Road. Initially reported as a vegetation fire, it was upgraded to a residential structure fire after Modesto Police Department’s SKY-1 airplane observed flames advancing quickly in high wind. MFD arrived to find a wind-driven fire sweeping through a large lot dotted with debris and structures.
The response was elevated to a fourth alarm, with 52 firefighters and seven chief officers engaging in an aggressive fire attack. Crews extinguished burning vehicles, debris piles and two outbuildings. They managed to limit extension to one home, which sustained only minor damage. Ceres police assisted with evacuations and traffic control.
The final fire of the night broke out around 11 p.m. on Burchell Hill Drive, where wind-swept flames burned four acres of river bottom. Mutual aid from Escalon and Cal Fire helped bring the fire under control within 45 minutes, with firefighters remaining on scene for several hours to mop up.
No injuries were reported in connection with any of the six fires. Several incidents remain under investigation.
Weekend Fire Weather Watch Issued
In the wake of Thursday’s fires, the National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch from 8 a.m. Saturday through 11 a.m. Sunday for the Central Valley.
Forecasters warn of critical fire weather conditions caused by gusty northerly winds and relative humidity levels between 15% and 25%, especially Saturday afternoon and evening. Wind gusts are expected to exceed 30 mph in parts of the region, increasing the risk of fire ignition and rapid spread.
“Gusty winds, dry conditions, and low humidity may lead to easier fire starts and the potential for rapid spread,” the National Weather Service said in its briefing.
