THIS PICTURE SHOWS THE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS IN WHICH FIREFIGHTERS HAD TO WORK TO PUT OUT THIS HOUSE FIRE ON COLORADO ROAD. GAZETTE PHOTO BY DAN TUCKER Mariposa County Fire Chief Jim Wilson called the response “a textbook fire attack coordinated by three fire agencies” and said it was responsible for saving most of a residential structure and the occupant’s personal possessions last week.

A neighbor and landlord to 41-year-old Shonna Hibpshman called 911 at 11:14 a.m. on Dec. 10 to report a fire in the attic of a 500-square-foot adjacent rental home located at 5136 Colorado Road in Midpines.

On arrival firefighters found heavy smoke originating from an exterior wall and portion of the ceiling. The home was located down a 500-foot steep driveway that was coated with ice and snow. Working conditions around the structure were treacherous for firefighters. Quick work by the first two arriving engines, CAL FIRE E-4262 and Midpines E-21, knocked down the fire just after it vented through the roof and began its free-burning phase.

Additional firefighters from Bootjack, Mormon Bar, Cathey’s Valley and MPUD assisted with the hour-long salvage and overhaul operation. Suppression efforts used less than 100 gallons of water. Damage to the structure was placed at approximately $2,000 and $1,000 to contents.

Wilson said the preliminary cause is attributed to a faulty woodstove vent pipe. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters.