San Andreas, CA…On Thursday, June 2, 2016 the Hunt Fire occurred on the 4800 block of Hunt Road, in Calaveras County. The Hunt Fire was dispatched at 10:37am and contained by 11:17am. The fire burned 26.5 acres of grass and no structures were threatened. Numerous engines, aircraft, a water tender, dozer and a crew from CAL FIRE as well as local government agencies responded. The fire was investigated and the cause was determined to be equipment use, specifically a riding lawnmower. A citation was issued to the property owner for violation of the Public Resources Codes related to equipment use and allowing a fire to burn lands of another.

The CAL FIRE Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit is reminding all residents that fire danger remains high and if they are using equipment to create defensible space follow the below recommendations:
Mow before 10:00 am,
Remember metal blades can strike rocks and ignite wildfires,
Mowers, including riding lawnmowers, are mostly designed for lawns, not for dry vegetation:
The exhaust pipe on many riding lawnmowers is in front of the mower on the lower portion of the frame, where the hot exhaust system can come in contact with dry vegetation,
The top portion of the mower deck can become covered in dry vegetation which may come in contact with the machinery,
Have a shovel and fire extinguisher near by the mowing operation.