FRESNO (KMJ) – Caltrans will be clearing dry brush to prevent future fires along freeways.
A grassfire threatened homes along the 41 Freeway by McKinley on Thursday, August 4th.
Fresno City Councilmember Clint Olivier was out there standing with residents, garden hoses in hand, trying to help them save their homes from the fire.
“This fire was really the last straw, there were people out there with hoses trying to put the fire out.” – Clint Olivier, Fresno City Councilmember.
Olivier wants state agencies to be held responsible for clearing dry brush-that can make embankments tinderboxes.
Coincidentally Fresno City Manager Bruce Rudd was brainstorming with a Caltrans delegation, the day of the fire.
“Before these fires were even burning Caltrans committed to the city and gave their assurance that during the next 30-45 days they they would beef up crews and beef up their human resources to clean up 180, 41 and 168 Freeways through the city of Fresno. – Clint Olivier, Fresno City Councilmember.
Over the next 3 weeks Caltrans will discuss a long term strategy to make sure a situation like the 41 Freeway fire does not happen again.
