A fast-moving fire in the area of River Road and McHenry Avenue along the Stanislaus River in Escalon prompted closure of the McHenry Avenue bridge that links San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties at midafternoon Thursday.

Escalon, Salida, Waterloo-Morada, Collegeville, Ripon, and Lathrop-Manteca were among the agencies responding to the scene in the effort to contain the wildfire.

One witness at the scene said the fire appeared to have started off River Road, in the area between the Escalon Animal Shelter site and Morrill Industries. Fire crews were making access through the McHenry Recreation Area and some were reportedly attacking it from the Modesto side, off Stewart Road in the Del Rio Country Club area. Helicopters overhead appeared to be utilized for helping determine the path of the fire.

There were reports of some structures involved, but authorities did not confirm what type of buildings they were early on.

Look for more information as it becomes available.