Triple-digit temperatures create ominous scenario for firefighters battling Basin Fire

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — Firefighters are actively battling the Basin Fire, which is raging in the Sierra National Forest.

Authorities say the fire spread overnight and began moving west and northwest.

“Today we're working to stop that movement. It hit our dozer lines, and now we're going to clean that up and make sure it doesn't spread any further west,” said Mike Lindbery, Basin Fire public information officer.

Nearly 900 firefighters have been called in from across the state and are using bulldozers to prepare for the worst as they work to contain the blaze.

“We don't want it to spread west of Dinkey Creek because it's grass, and grass has been the main vector of this fire; if it spreads there it's going to be difficult to control,” Lindbery said.

LIVE NEWS: Crews battle Basin Fire in Fresno County mountains

Due to record rainfall in recent years, there is plenty of dry grass to burn, which is growing faster than computer models predict.

While hundreds of firefighters are camping in the Smoky Mountains, closer to the fire lines, dozens more are also sleeping here at Sierra High School.

Authorities say their goal is to keep crews safe and hydrated in the face of the coming heat wave.

The fire also makes life difficult for the people who live here.

“The smoke is really bad; you wake up coughing in the middle of the night; you can smell it all night,” said Fresno County resident Darlene Frady.

Firefighters say they will not let this fire continue.

Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig is pleased.

He says any potential spread poses a threat to a larger portion of Fresno County.

“If this fire is not contained, it could potentially spread into the Blue Canyon area, which has not burned, and spread right into the back of the Shaver area,” said Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig.

“This is a full-out fire, which means we're going to do everything we can to keep it within the footprint that it's in and that's the safest way possible for the firefighters on the line,” Lindbery said.

Authorities say that in honor of the Fourth of July this week, they want to remind people that fireworks are illegal on National Forest Service lands.

They ask that you respect the law and celebrate safely while they fight the flames.

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