FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- As the Garnet Fire burns out of control in the Sierra National Forest, scorching more than 9,100 acres east of Pine Flat Lake, Fresno County officials have declared a local emergency.

County Administrative Officer Paul Nerland issued the emergency proclamation on Tuesday. The Board of Supervisors must ratify it within seven days. A limited Emergency Operations Center is active, coordinating with CAL FIRE, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Fresno County Sheriff's Office.

Fire activity intensified on Wednesday, creating a massive pyrocumulus cloud visible for miles. Fire officials say crews have made progress on the west side of the fire, near PG &E infrastructure.

Crews are focusing on the fire's west side and PG &E's hydroelectric facilities at Balch Ca

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