1,500 firefighters battle June Lightning Complex fire as Fresno County declares state of emergency

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — Fresno County officials declared a local state of emergency Thursday as crews battle a wildfire near Yokuts Valley.

June's Lightning Complex Fire burned approximately 9,000 acres in eastern Fresno County. It is 29% contained.

“It’s a complex fire because we had three large fires at the same time in the same area,” said Capt. Brent Pascua with CAL FIRE.

They began earlier this week, triggered by an intense thunderstorm that swept through the valley and caused a thousand lightning strikes.

Pascua says at least two of the fires met in the middle and combined.

“Instead of having to cut off these two separate fire lines like this, we can now cut off one larger one around that main fire,” he said.

Fresno County officials have issued evacuation orders in three areas and say residents in four other areas should be prepared to leave.

There is an evacuation shelter at Reedley College.

“If you think you might have to leave, it’s best to leave,” Pascua said.

The warning comes as more than 1,500 firefighters, many arriving from Southern California, battle to keep the blaze from breaching containment lines.

Action News was there as a helicopter dropped hundreds of gallons of water on a hot spot.

Air combat assists ground crews digging in and establishing containment lines.

On one side of the line observed by Action News, there was dry brush.

A few meters away there was a smoky and charred field.

“The challenges in this area are the steep terrain and also the fuel,” Pascua said. “Once it lines up with the wind, it burns very hot, very fast.”

He said the heat and wind made it difficult for firefighters Thursday, but officials hope to make more progress on containment when temperatures drop overnight.

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