- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
STATE FIRE UPDATE: More new wildland fires reported around California
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Thousands of additional firefighters joined efforts on Thursday to contain a growing number of summer wildland fires.
Cal Fire said that as of Thursday evening, 8,000 firefighters were battling 18 major wildland fires around California, including several that are in the national forest and nearing full containment.
The largest fire in the state burning in Cal Fire jurisdiction is the Rocky fire, burning since Wednesday afternoon near Lower Lake. As of 5 a.m. Friday, the size estimate remained at 13,500 acres, with 5-percent containment.
Lake County and a number of other counties around Northern California are under special weather statements due to higher temperatures, the possibility of thunderstorms and elevated fire danger.
The Friday forecast calls for very warm temperatures with low afternoon humidity levels.
For information on wildland fire preparedness, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org .
The following is a summary of major wildfire incidents around the state, with size estimates through late Thursday night.
Cal Fire incidents
– Advance fire: Began July 30 in Tulare County; 150 acres, 5-percent contained.
– Sprig fire: Began July 30 in Shasta County; 90 acres, 80-percent contained.
– Humboldt lightning fires: Began July 30 in Humboldt County; 17 fires totaling 50 acres, no containment reported.
– Mendocino lightning fires: Began July 30 in Mendocino County; two fires totaling 27 acres, 80-percent contained.
– Rocky fire: Began July 29 near Lower Lake in Lake County; 13,500 acres, 5-percent containment. Evacuations in effect. Cause is under investigation.
– Big Creek fire: Began July 29 in Tuolumne County; 204 acres, 35-percent containment. Cause is under investigation.
– China fire: Two fires that began July 29 in Shasta County; 212 acres, 73-percent contained. Evacuations in effect. Cause is under investigation.
– Mallard fire: Began July 29 in Shasta County; 75 acres, 92-percent contained. Evacuations in effect. Cause is under investigation.
– Swedes fire: Began July 29 in Butte County; 400 acres, 60-percent contained. Evacuations in effect. Cause is under investigation.
– Buck fire: Began July 28 in Humboldt County; 16 acres, 85-percent contained.
– Lowell fire: Began July 25 in Nevada County; 2,303 acres, 70-percent contained. Evacuation advisories in effect. One structure destroyed. Six injuries. Cause is under investigation. Estimated full containment: Aug. 3.
– Queen fire: Began July 25 in Humboldt County; 158 acres, 85-percent contained. Two injuries. Cause is under investigation.
– Wragg fire: Began July 22 in Napa and Solano counties; 7,900 acres, 85-percent contained. Evacuations lifted. Two outbuildings destroyed, three outbuildings and one residence damaged, with 136 structures threatened. No injuries reported. Cause is under investigation. Estimated full containment: Aug. 3.
Federal incidents
– Cabin fire: Began July 29 in Tulare County; 1,900 acres, no containment reported. Caused by lightning.
– Willow fire: Began July 25 in Madera County; 3,383 acres, 30-percent contained. No injuries reported. Caused by arson.
– Cutca fire: Began July 24 in San Diego County; 167 acres, 75-percent contained. No injuries reported. Cause is unknown.
– Lake fire: Began July 16 in San Bernardino County; 31,359 acres, 98-percent contained. No injuries reported. Human caused; remains under investigation.
– Washington fire: Began June 19 in Alpine County; 17,790 acres, 99-percent contained. No injuries reported. Caused by lightning. Estimated full containment: July 31.
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