Firefighters trying to get upper hand on wildfire near Prather

FRESNO COUNTY (KFSN) -- It is day three of the Goose Fire, burning through about 2,020 acres near Prather. On Monday, we learned at least three homes have been destroyed along with two outbuildings.

Cell phone video captured what residents along Gooseberry Lane said was the start of this wildfire. A home, up in flames-- A man who was in the house at the time said it looked like it started at the edge of the property, next to the road.

The aftermath left only a few things still recognizable-- a bathtub, a filing cabinet, a car.

"We do have crews who are out who are surveying now, we just don't have that information back yet," said Johnny Miller, Cal Fire.

As with any fire, there's a lot to do and it's still burning, which is why more than 1,600 personnel were called in to help.

"They're from San Diego all the way up to the Oregon border. So everyone's here trying their best to put the fire out," said Miller.

That includes a strike team with firefighters from cities across Orange County. This is the third wildfire they've worked in a row.

"This is what we do. It's part of our job. We all train to do this-- we train both city and local forest service so we can come and help these guys out," said Captain Jeff Wilkins, Garden Grove Fire Department.

Another helping hand came from his sister-in-law from Fresno, who decided to deliver coffee to the team. And they need it-- working 24 hours on, 24 hours off. Making sure the fire doesn't get close to any more homes.

"They're worried about the fire jumping the road and getting into the housing tracks, so that's why we're here to do structure protection," said Wilkins.

With three already destroyed, and many more threatened, it's a tough task, especially in this year's fire season.

"This is very dry. We're going on a five-year drought, so these are the conditions for California, for now, and you have to be prepared for wildland fires like this," said Miller.

A large number of firefighters are needed because of how this fire is burning-- with large, dangerous pockets. That also takes a lot of time to put out, so it could be another three to five days. The fire is currently 20-percent contained.