Sacred Native American land being protected from the Garnet Fire

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Smoke filled the skies over the Fresno County mountains on Friday as firefighters continued battling the Garnet Fire.

Fire officials say weather conditions over the past 24 hours have helped their efforts.

"We've been able to take a more direct attack on some of the fire lines and send additional resources to reinforce areas that have already been secured, predominantly in the McKinley Grove area," said Jay Tracy.

As crews work tirelessly to contain the flames, Dirk Charley is focused on the preservation of sacred Native American land.

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"This is a bedrock mortar. It's nice and smooth. This is where, again acorn would be placed pounded, prepared," Charley explained.

Charley, a Tribal Liaison with the Sierra National Forest, is Native American and has a background in firefighting.

He granted Action News exclusive access to a revered site near Dinkey Creek, just a mile and a half from the fire's edge.

"This is part of our culture, our heritage, this is what we tie back with our family, our friends. These trade routes, these areas, this shelter area and everything, it's really important for us," said Charley.

He explains the land in the Sierra belongs to four different tribes, including his own, and that Native American history in the area dates back to at least the 1400s.

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"You get to an area, you close your eyes, and you can just listen, you smell, you can feel and everything, touching everything, and you'll know this is a special area," said Charley.

Charley carries a lifetime of knowledge passed down from his father, Ben.

He hopes to share that wisdom with young firefighters, helping them understand the cultural significance of the land they're working to protect.

"I know that this type of work is rough, tough. Yes, very intensive, dangerous, but there's no other place on earth I'd rather be and to be doing this type of work," said Charley.

He is in constant communication with fire officials. Charley will be checking in with advisors later today to make sure land like what we visited isn't damaged.

He remains in close contact with fire officials and plans to meet with advisors to ensure sacred sites like the one we visited remain unharmed.

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