County fire fully contained; firefighter dies on Ferguson fire
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The region’s largest wildland fire was fully contained on Saturday, while officials confirmed that a Cal Fire equipment operator was killed on the Ferguson fire on Saturday morning.
The County fire’s vast area – it has burned 90,288 acres since June 30 – was fully contained as of Saturday night, when Cal Fire issued its final report on the incident.
The fire, which began in Guinda in Yolo County before burning into Napa County, destroyed 20 structures and damaged three others.
Cal Fire said fire suppression repair teams continue working around the fire perimeter and
affected areas.
In Butte County, the Stoney fire in Chico’s Bidwell Park continued to burn on Saturday.
The fire, which began on Thursday night, has so far burned 956 acres and was 65-percent contained as of Saturday night, Cal Fire said.
To the south, tragedy struck on Saturday on the lines of the Ferguson fire on the Sierra National Forest.
Officials confirmed on Saturday that Cal Fire Heavy Fire Equipment Operator Braden Varney, 36, from the agency’s Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit, was killed.
Varney, a second generation Cal Fire employee who had worked with the agency for 10 years, is survived by his wife, Jessica, 5-year-old daughter Malhea and 3-year-old son Nolan.
Cal Fire said the Ferguson fire started Friday at 10:35 p.m. near El Portal in Mariposa County. The fire was under Unified Command with Cal Fire Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit and the US Forest Service-Sierra National Forest but was turned over to the Forest Service on Saturday.
The Ferguson fire on Saturday night was 1,000 acres and 5 percent contained.
On Saturday Gov. Jerry Brown honored Varney.
“Anne and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Heavy Equipment Operator Braden Varney, a man who dedicated his life to protecting his fellow Californians. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and many colleagues who are mourning this sudden and tragic loss,” Gov. Brown said.
In honor of Varney, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff, the Governor’s Office reported.
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