- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Butts Fire nears full containment; firefighters make progress on Monticello Fire
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A fire that has burned for a week in Napa and Lake counties is about to reach full containment while firefighters continued to gain ground on another large fire burning in neighboring Yolo County.
Cal Fire said the Butts Fire, which began July 1 in Pope Valley northwest of Lake Berryessa, was 95-percent contained on Monday night.
The fire has burned 4,300 acres, destroyed nine structures – two homes and seven outbuildings – and caused four injuries, according to Cal Fire.
On Monday 271 personnel, along with 10 fire engines, eight fire crews, two dozers and a water tender remained assigned to the incident, Cal Fire reported.
The agency said that firefighters continued with mopping up and patrolling the fire perimeter, looking for and extinguishing hot spots, and also conducting fire suppression repair and rehabilitation work.
In Yolo County, the Monticello Fire – which began on July 4 on the southeast shore of Lake Berryessa at the Monticello Dam – remained at 6,488 acres on Monday evening, with Cal Fire reporting that containment increased to 45 percent during the day.
No structures have been reported burned and all evacuation orders have been lifted. Cal Fire said three injuries have been reported.
On Monday the resources assigned to the Monticello Fire included 1,789 personnel, 130 fire engines 56 fire crews, four air tankers, 16 helicopters, 45 dozers and 21 water tenders, Cal Fires said.
Officials said high daytime temperatures and poor humidity recovery overnight continue to challenge suppression efforts. There also are concerns about the potential increase of winds on the fire.
Heavy smoke will continue to affect surrounding communities, according to the Monday night report.
Cal Fire said the investigations on the causes of both fires are continuing.
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