CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Containment edged up on the Wye Fire burning east of Clearlake Oaks on Wednesday, with Highway 20 fully reopened and air quality conditions improving.
In a Wednesday evening update, Cal Fire said the Wye Fire was staying steady at 7,934 acres, with 75 percent containment.
The Wye Fire consists of two fires being managed as one – the Wye Fire, near the intersection of Highway 20 and Highway 53, and the Walker Fire, near Walker Ridge Road, inside Lake and Mendocino counties.
Full containment is expected on Monday, according to Cal Fire spokesman Kevin Colburn, who was stationed at the incident command center at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport.
To date, there have been three injuries – all minor and to firefighters, according to Cal Fire officials.
There also have been three structures destroyed and two damaged, officials reported.
On Wednesday the remaining evacuations on the fire were lifted in the Wilbur Hot Springs area and Highway 20 was fully reopened to through traffic.
Motorists were warned that speed limits would be strictly enforced and additionally urged to be cautious because fire personnel and equipment remain at work in the area.
Fire personnel still assigned to the incident included 1,254 firefighters from Cal Fire and agencies around the state, 133 engines, 28 fire crews, four helicopters, 10 dozers and eight water tenders.
The Lake County Air Quality Management District on Wednesday issued a report anticipating air quality in the “good” category, but warning of the possibility for “moderate” to “unhealthy” conditions closer to the fire. The district urged caution as conditions can change rapidly.
Cal Fire said the fire’s cause remains under investigation.
The Wye Fire Call Center can be reached at 707-967-4207 or 707-967-4208; Lake County Air Quality Management can be reached at 707-263-7000.
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