Wildfire burns in Squaw Valley area

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Firefighters battled a wildfire and triple-digit temperatures in the Squaw Valley area on Monday.

The flames broke out just before noon in the area of Highway 180 and Elwood. Approximately 25 acres were blackened in this fire. Fire crews mopped up and put out hot spots on the charred hillside late into the afternoon. One volunteer firefighter who was on the fire line continues to recover at the hospital from heat exhaustion related to battling this fire.

Firefighters were prepared for the extreme heat but the breezy conditions added a separate challenge. The fire attack was not limited to the ground. For about two hours on Monday afternoon, air tankers dropped fire retardant from above. Helicopters also made water drops to get the flames under control.

Two outbuildings that were being used as storage facilities did burn during the fire, but crews were able to protect homes in the area.

"Multiple incidents today did damage outbuildings, and homes, and sheds; some significant dollar loss in some of those, and this incident that we're dealing with now may not be the last one for the day," said Cal Fire/Fresno County Fire spokesman Ryan Michaels.

Firefighters also lit backfires to slow the fire and stop its forward progress. The blaze is currently 95 percent contained.

No residents were injured during the fire.