Pinecrest, CA…The Bell Fire is located in a remote area of the Stanislaus National Forest (STF) on the Summit Ranger District in the Emigrant Wilderness between the 8,000 to 9,000 ft level. The fire is currently about 13 acres in size and is located about five miles east of Dodge Ridge Ski Resort, 1.5 miles southeast of Gianelli Trailhead, and two miles east of Crabtree Trailhead (as a bird flies).

The Bell Fire was first detected on July 28, 2020 and was started by lightning. The STF Incident Management Team is utilizing a confine and contain suppression strategy for firefighter and public safety, while utilizing extensive rocky and other natural features, like creeks and local trails, as containment lines.