Graham Fire evacuation warning lifted

Cal Fire and other agencies working the Graham Fire near Groveland have lifted their voluntarty evacuation warning.

The warning was lifted Friday afternoon. It affected about 20 properties near the Pine Mountain Lake airport, off Clements Road.

The warning was issued about 9 a.m. Thursday as a precautionary safety measure.

The Graham Fire, reported Wednesday afternoon, has burned 100 acres, and was 20 percent contained as of Friday evening.

 CAL FIRE’s Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit Chief Brian Kirk said, “The evacuation warning was

a heads-up for area residents to be prepared to evacuate because of the possibility for increased

fire activity on the Graham Incident. This is a good sign that crews are continuing to get the upper

hand on this potentially dangerous fire. However, we all need to remember that not only are we just

now entering the most dangerous part of fire season, but that the vegetation this year is extremely

dry. Recent measurements by CAL FIRE indicate that the fuel is as dry now as it normally is in late

September or October. Please make sure you have a minimum of 100 feet of defensible space

around your home, and be especially careful with any outdoor activities that might start a wildfire.”