[UPDATE 4 p.m.] New Fire Burning Near Cedar Flat in Trinity County

Bidden Fire map [Image from Google Maps]

The fire is located southwest of Cedar Flat, just off Friedrich Road, and is visible from California State Route 299.

The forest service said crews are using a full suppression strategy. Resources assigned to the incident include two engines, a bulldozer, a hand crew, and a helicopter tanker.

Emergency dispatch records indicate the fire was initially reported shortly before 2 p.m. after an Apple Emergency SOS via Satellite user contacted 911 to report a vegetation fire near mile marker 13 on Highway 299 at Friedrich Road. Because the reporting party was outside cellular coverage, the emergency was transmitted through Apple’s satellite messaging system before being transferred to local fire dispatch. The caller reported that no one was trapped or injured and that the emergency involved a grass or wildland fire.

Be alert for firefighters, fire engines, heavy equipment, and aircraft operating in the area.

UPDATE 3:14 p.m.: The CAL FIRE Air Attack and tanker as well as a dozer have been released from the fire signaling that firefighters on the ground there are comfortable they can handle the incident without more firefighters.

UPDATE 4 p.m.: A reader sent us these photos and video from the fire: