Black plume of smoke visible in Fresno as fire erupts near an elementary school
Fire crews battled a fire in Fresno County that started Saturday afternoon and sent a black plume of smoke into the air that was visible from miles away.
Fresno County, Cal Fire, Fresno Fire and North Central Fire responded to the incident that started as a vegetation fire along Highway 41 northbound before picking up by a wind-driven fire north of Central Avenue.
The fire spread east towards Cherry Avenue, but no homes were damaged or destroyed, Fresno County Fire spokesman John Dominguez said.
“Some outbuildings were destroyed by the fire,” he said.
He said that outbuildings were in the pallet yard.
The fire started just after 3 p.m.
“The fire picked up intensity and spread to several properties,” Dominguez said.
He said 13 acres were burned. At least 50 firefighters were battling the blaze.
Crews sprayed water onto pallets to prevent the blaze from spreading.
Orange Center Elementary is located across the street where the fire spread to.
It’s unknown what caused the fire.
Nearby, Fresno Fire was battling a brush fire at Highway 41 and Jensen.
