FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — After nearly four weeks and 60,000 acres burned, the Garnet Fire is entering a new stage.
“There isn’t active fire flames, as far as active fire behavior, because we received so much precipitation over the last couple of days and the increase in relative humidity,” spokesman Austin Gonzagowski told Action News.
The rain on Thursday and Friday helped extinguish the flames.
“I think most firefighters, most crews are very confident,” Gonzagowski said. “It’s a morale booster.”
Parts of the fire area received nearly an inch of rain, prompting officials to halt the frontline response due to safety concerns.
Firefighters returned Saturday for the first time since the weather.
“We have crews that are actively working in there, mopping up, ensuring that any heat that’s found near this area is completely suppressed,” Gonzagowski said.
Those crews are still working to contain Garnet’s northwest footprint.
“Until we’re able to get it 100 percent contained when we feel comfortable, they’re going to continue to have personnel in or around the fire,” Gonzagowski said.
He confirmed there are still dangerous hotspots.
“There’s going to be dead and down fuels that are going to continue to smolder for weeks to come, if not months, until there’s a good solid rain or even snow,” Gonzagowski said.
On the eve of what will be four weeks of Garnet, Action News has learned that a new incident management team from New York City is poised to take control on Sunday.
It will mark a reduction in the response…
“As resources (demobilize) from the assignment, they’re being put back into the system, if you will, to be available for other national incidents,” Gonzagowski said.
