LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The acreage of the Jerusalem fire doubled overnight as it continued to burn through remote and difficult terrain, while firefighters pushed the nearby Rocky fire closer to full containment.
The Jerusalem fire, which began burning Sunday afternoon in the Jerusalem Valley area northeast of Middletown, had reached 12,000 acres by Tuesday morning, with no containment yet achieved, according to Cal Fire.
Fifty structures remain threatened, with none destroyed or damaged so far, Cal Fire said.
Authorities have implemented some mandatory and advisory evacuations, and an evacuation shelter at Middletown High School remains open. The full list of evacuation orders and advisories is at http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=1193 .
On the Rocky fire, located to the north and burning since July 29, firefighters edged containment up on that 69,636-acre blaze to 88 percent overnight, Cal Fire said.
Approximately 1,344 personnel continue to work in the footprint of the massive Rocky incident, with crews dealing overnight with flare ups and continuing to try to gain access to some parts of the fire located in rugged country, Cal Fire said.
Still committed to the Rocky fire are 45 engines, 36 hand crews, 10 helicopters, six dozers and two helicopters, Cal Fire said Tuesday morning, with numerous resources from the incident having already been deployed to the Jerusalem fire or one of the other wildland fires burning elsewhere in the state.
While the Jerusalem fire saw 6,000 acres of growth since Monday evening, Cal Fire said burning conditions actually slowed overnight due to an increase in relative humidity – which radio reports indicated was in the mid 50-percent range – and cooler temperatures.
At the same time, however, crews have had to deal with the same kinds of erratic winds that fanned the Rocky fire, and which are promoting what Cal Fire said are high intensity runs on the Jerusalem incident, with short range spotting.
Resources committed to the Jerusalem fire on Tuesday morning included 1,1,22 personnel, 32 engines, 32 hand crews, 23 dozers, 18 water tenders and 17 helicopters, Cal Fire said.
Firefighters on the lines of both incidents Tuesday should be aided by slightly cooler temperatures, with the National Weather Service forecasting highs in the mid-80s and milder conditions overall through mid-week thanks to a low pressure system moving through the region. However, north northwest winds of up to 9 miles per hour are predicted.
Cal Fire estimates the Rocky fire will be fully contained on Thursday, and the Jerusalem fire will be fully contained on Aug. 17.
The causes of both fires remain under investigation, authorities said.
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Jerusalem fire doubles in size overnight; Rocky fire containment up slightly
- Elizabeth Larson
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