Crews were on scene at what Cal Fire listed as the #OrangeFire off Sonora and Orange Blossom roads on Wednesday for several hours, containing the blaze at 65 acres. It was a good outcome for what could have been a much more serious situation, said officials, as the triple digit heat and breezy conditions on June 21 set the stage for a lengthy and much more destructive fire.

Both a ground attack and aerial assault were utilized in fighting the fire, which burned several fields off Sonora Road. Helicopter crews dipped in to a nearby private pond to provide water for the aerial attack and a staging area was set up along Schell Road for responding crews.

There were no reports of injuries and no indications of damage to any structures. No official cause was listed in the information provided out of Cal Fire. It was just one of many fires in the Cal Fire jurisdiction recently, as fire season kicks into high gear.

The call came in around 2:30 p.m. on June 21 and several units were called in to assist, with firefighters from locations including Chinese Camp and Escalon among those responding, in addition to Stanislaus Consolidated crews.

Firefighters continued to put out ‘hot spots’ until the early evening hours, with a report from Cal Fire about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday that the fire had been fully contained.

Meanwhile, residents throughout the region are being reminded to be especially cautious for the  July 4 holiday, as local fireworks booths are now open for business and many families will be hosting ‘Safe and Sane’ fireworks displays at home. Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy for dousing fireworks when finished.