CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The cause of a fire that burned at Anderson Marsh on Wednesday has still not been determined.

The fire was reported shortly before 3:30 p.m., as Lake County News has reported.

Willie Sapeta, who starts off 2012 as the new chief of Lake County Fire Protection District, said Thursday that the fire burned between three to five acres.

Sapeta said the fire was located south southeast of the old white bridge off of Lakeview Way, which radio traffic on Wednesday had indicated was the main road for accessing the blaze.

He said it occurred in an area of tules, which accounted for the thick black smoke witnesses had reported seeing.

“Every year we end up with a fire out there,” Sapeta said of the marsh's tule area.

The fire was difficult to reach, and Sapeta said firefighters had to park their engines way out and walk in.

A total of two hand crews, five engines, one water tender and two company officers responded, Sapeta said. Reports from the scene indicated there was assistance from Cal Fire.

Firefighters were able to clear the scene at about 6 p.m., Sapeta said.

Sapeta said the fire is still under investigation.

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