Fire burns 40 acres along Merced River

A vegetation fire along the Merced River burned about 40 acres of grass in Delhi and Livingston on Wednesday, fire officials reported.

The fire was reported about 1:10 p.m. in Delhi just north of the Merced River near Oak Street and Hinton Avenue, according to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection of Merced County Battalion Chief Jeremy Rahn.

“Due to the dry conditions and the weather, the fire crossed the water to the south side,” he said.

Flames burned grasses on the southern side, he said, affecting the city of Livingston. Crews were able to keep the flames from several nearby buildings.

“Now that we’re officially in summer, (it’s) just another reminder to residents to clear vegetation around houses,” Rahn said.

Cal Fire recommends that people clear dry grass before 10 a.m.

Nine engines, two water tenders and 35 firefighters from Cal Fire responded to the fire, he said. The Merced Fire Department also responded with an engine, and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife provided two engines.

This story was originally published June 22, 2016 at 6:21 PM with the headline "Fire burns 40 acres along Merced River."