High Winds Fuel Destructive McHenry Fire In San Joaquin, Stanislaus Counties
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY (CBS13) — A wind-whipped fire spanned two counties and destroyed two homes on Thursday.
Late into the night, crews worked to get power restored to homeowners in the area after flames scorched dozens of power lines.
The fire started at around 4 p.m. in San Joaquin County, and high winds and dry brush were all Mother Nature needed to get it to jump the river into Stanislaus County.
"There were 5 outbuildings burned and a partial building burned all in the Lotus Gardens area," said Jessica Smart with the Modesto Fire Department.
Longtime residents like Pam Elsholz were panicked. She pulled onto the McHenry Avenue Bridge to call her friends who had homes directly in the fire's path.
"I've texted, I've called them. They're not answering. They're about half a mile just ahead of the fire," she said.
For Roy McClain, the place he called home is now unrecognizable. The fire left nothing behind at his home on McHenry Avenue.
The flames collapsed the roof and walls. Nearly everything is gone, leaving a brick chimney stack standing alone. Only a few small children's toys were saved from the fire.
Across the street, a different and better scenario, the front gate has burned down but as we walk down the driveway it's a far different scene. A tree is still smoldering, but the house is still standing. Caution tape is up in the driveway and there are fire crews stationed doing structure protection.
More than 100 firefighters worked to stop the forward progress of the fire, prompting the evacuation of 12 homes. Part of a walnut orchard was destroyed.
While crews say defensible space kept a bad situation from becoming worse, officials say this summer's eve blaze sets an ominous tone for what's to come.
"Understand that this is a unique year," Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District Chief Randall Bradley. "That the fuels are extremely dry and there's a lot of fuel. So, dry fuels, windy conditions, and it's starting early so it's only going to get worse as we progress through the season."
One woman suffered a burn in the fire, but she didn't receive any treatment at the scene.
Homeowners who were evacuated could be allowed to return by the end of the night, though power may not be back on by the morning.