Paloma Fire winding down

Fire crews overnight continued putting down a wildfire that burned 37 acres of brush and grassland south of Mokelumne Hill.

Full containment of the fire, the first significant wildfire of the year, was expected at 8 a.m. today, a Cal Fire press release said.

Forward spread of the fire has been stopped, and a fireline was formed around 75 percent of the area by Thursday evening, Cal Fire reported.

Five engines, four hand crews and two water tenders were working on the incident overnight, according to Cal Fire.

The fire was reported about 6:10 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of Highway 26 and Paloma Road.

A dozen engines, two water tenders, two bulldozers, two air tanks, a helicopter, a spotting plane, and six hand crews all contributed to the firefighting efforts through the first night.

Local units from Mokelumne Hill and San Andreas also responded, according to Cal Fire.

Fire crews had the wildfire 50 percent contained by Thursday morning.