An air tanker makes a fire retardant drop today on the Bass Lake fire that started on Road 274 near Fawn Point Lane.

This was the scene as I arrived with my camera at the amphitheater on the shore of Bass Lake just across from the fire. Fortunately the day had been on the cool side with light winds and the fire was brought under control by firefighters fairly quickly. It did result in a shutdown of Malum Ridge Road near Salter Creek. At least three planes and four helicopters fought the fire. Being so close to the lake may have saved the forest given how dry the area has been due to the long California drought.