La Grange, CA…Just after 11:00 AM today, Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the 4800 block of Arbolada Rd in Don Pedro to assist Cal Fire with possible evacuations and road closures due to a grass fire.
The fire is being investigated by fire officials but is believed to have been started by a home owner cutting dry grass with a lawn mower.

It is fire season in Tuolumne County. Please take precautions when cutting wood, brush or burning debris.
Planning ahead is vital so you know what to do if a fire starts. Keep basic fire-fighting equipment close at hand; a fire extinguisher in all your vehicles and buildings and keep a shovel or two handy around your property.
The best way to battle a grass fire is to prevent it from ever starting. Hopefully these tips will help you stay alert to these dreadful, recurring situations.
• Do not throw cigarette or cigar butts on the ground or out of a vehicle.
• Don’t burn trash, leaves, or brush outdoors, without proper supervision.
• Employ the 30-foot “safety zone” surrounding the home. Clear away loose grass, leaves, etc. away from the home, especially those living in a woodland area.
• If not using a storage shed to store your firewood, make sure you stack it at least 20-feet away from your house.
• Rake leaves, cut off dead limbs, and cut grass regularly. Remove dead branches that extend over the roof.
• Avoid parking cars, trucks or recreational vehicles on dry grass or brush. Exhaust systems on vehicles can reach a temperature of more than 1,000 degrees; it only takes about 500 degrees to start a brush fire in the summer.
• Maintain a 10-foot area that is free of brush and shrubbery around BBQ grills and propane tanks. Do not leave a grill unattended, and when finished, place ashes in a bucket and soak in water until completely cooled. Keep a shovel, bucket of water, fire extinguisher, or other fire suppression tools on hand in case of
Now that summer is on the way, we are anxious to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Including landscaping our yards. Make sure you are prepared and educated on what to do should you encounter a fire.