LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Two of the biggest fires of Lake County's early fire season were contained on Tuesday, as firefighters elsewhere around the state continued to work on big incidents.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Thomas fire broke out in a field across Highway 29 from Rainbow Ag, as Lake county News has reported.
Lakeport Fire Chief Doug Hutchison said firefighters from around Lake County, as well as ground and air resources from Cal Fire, worked on the blaze, which had a small spot that jumped Highway 29.
The last acreage estimate available on the fire was between 30 to 35 acres, but Hutchison said Tuesday evening that, at that point, it hadn't been definitively mapped.
Hutchison said the fire was contained, with fire hose placed around it. Crews were expected to be on scene on Wednesday morning.
He said firefighters had initial reports of a downed power line that may have caused the incident, but no such line was found.
As such, the fire's cause remains under investigation, said Hutchison.
Also on Tuesday, the Mendocino National Forest reported that a fire that began on Friday on private land on the Upper Lake Ranger District had been contained.
The Sanhedrin fire burned a total of 25 acres south of Little Signal Peak and east of the Sanhedrin Wilderness, according to forest spokeswoman Tamara Schmidt.
Schmidt said mop-up work on the incident was continuing on Tuesday.
Elsewhere around California, Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant said Tuesday that more than 4,000 firefighters continued to make good progress battling eight major wildfires.
Berlant said the forecast calls for seasonably warm and dry weather this week, although for some areas it will seem cooler from the recent warm spell.
However, high pressure builds in Wednesday through Friday and is expected to bring very hot and dry conditions, he said.
“With the hot, dry conditions wildfire activity continues to increase, which leads to an important reminder for residents to take steps to prevent sparking a wildfire,” Berlant said.
A rundown of major incidents around the state follows, with size estimates through late Tuesday.
Cal Fire incidents
– Corrine fire: Began June 18 in Madera County; 920 acres, 90-percent contained. Three structures destroyed, evacuations lifted. Cause is under investigation.
– Park Hill fire: Began June 20, San Luis Obispo County; 1,800 acres, 90-percent contained. Sixteen structures and nine vehicles (including two RVs used as residences) destroyed, evacuations lifted. Cause was carbon buildup from an unknown vehicle exhaust system.
– Red fire: Began June 21 in Madera County; 135 acres, 100-percent contained.
Unified command fires
– Lake fire: Began June 17 in San Bernardino County; 17,525 acres, 33-percent contained. Evacuations remain in effect; 500 structures threatened. Cause is under investigation.
Federal incidents
– Saddle fire: Began June 10 in Trinity County; 1,542 acres, 95-percent contained. Caused by lightning.
– Sky Fire: Began June 18 in Madera County; 500 acres, 95-percent contained. Caused by a vehicle.
– Washington Fire: Began June 19 in Alpine County; 16,544 acres. Caused by lightning.
Other incidents
– River fire: Began June 22 in Ventura County; 164 acres, 50-percent contained. All evacuations and closures lifted.
To learn about wildland fire preparedness, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org .
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.