Firefighters battle several fires along Tule River

Porterville City firefighters expected to work through the night to ensure that a fire along the south side of the Tule River early Monday evening was out completely.

Battalion Chief Glenn Irish said there were actually three fires which grew into one. The fires broke out about an hour before sunset, sending black smoke billowing above the river bed, at times obscuring the setting sun and drawing area residents and passersby out to watch flames shoot up as thick brush and small trees caught fire.

Earlier in the day firefighters responded to a small fire on Main Street just south of the river. That fire, which blackened a small patch of grass, was quickly extinguished. A couple of hours later the new fires broke out to the west; Irish called them “suspicious” in origin.

By sunset it appeared the fire had been contained to the south side of the river between the Main Street and Jaye Street bridges. Industrial buildings and homes in the area — including Royalty Carpet Mills at Springville Drive and E Street — were across the road and a dry grassy field from the fire.

Firefighters were assisted in their efforts by the availability of water in the river. Irish said pumps were in place and the steady drone of their engines could be heard along the river as the pumps filled firehoses.

“It’s nice that we have the river running,” he said.

In addition to city resources, the Tulare County Fire Department assisted.