- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Firefighting efforts continue around the state; governor issues state of emergency in El Dorado, Siskiyou counties
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Firefighters on Wednesday fully contained a fire that began in Mendocino County last weekend while work continued around the state on other incidents, with fires in two counties gaining a gubernatorial state of emergency declaration.
Cal Fire said Wednesday that nearly 6,500 local, federal and Cal Fire firefighters were on the front lines of 11 major wildfires burning across California, with several thousand residents remaining evacuated.
One fire that was fully contained on Wednesday was the Black Fire, which was sparked on Saturday afternoon and burned a total of 403 acres.
The fire – which had burned north of Lake Mendocino between Redwood Valley and Potter Valley – destroyed 11 structures and injured three firefighters.
Elsewhere in the state, the King Fire – which began burning near Pollack Pines in El Dorado County on Saturday – reached 27,930 acres and 5-percent containment on Tuesday, Cal Fire said.
Mandatory evacuation orders remain in place in parts of El Dorado County, with more than 2,000 residences and 1,500 other minor structures threatened. Cal Fire said nearly 3,400 personnel, 299 fire engines and 15 helicopters are among the resources on scene.
In Siskiyou County, Cal Fire said firefighters increased containment to 60 percent on the Boles Fire, which began Monday afternoon in the city of Weed.
The Boles Fire so far has burned 375 acres, destroyed 150 structures and continues to threaten 1,000 residents and 100 commercial properties in Weed, Cal Fire said.
Some evacuation orders remain in effect and more than 1,100 firefighters and 100 fire engines are assigned to the incident, according to Cal Fire.
Also in Siskiyou County, the Happy Camp Complex is continuing to burn in the Klamath National Forest. Lightning ignited the fire on Aug. 11.
The latest update on the fire, which is under the management of the US Forest Service, put its acreage at 125,788 Acres and 68-percent containment.
In Madera County, the Courtney Fire – which began on Sunday near Oakhurst – was 320 acres and 70-percent contained on Wednesday evening, Cal Fire said. Four injuries were reported.
The Courtney Fire has destroyed 30 residences, 19 outbuildings, 13 vehicles and four recreational vehicles destroyed, and damaged another four residences, three outbuildings and two vehicles. All evacuation orders have been lifted.
Cal Fire said the causes of the Black, Boles and Courtney fires remain under investigation.
On Wednesday Gov. Jerry Brown declared states of emergency in El Dorado and Siskiyou counties due to the effects of the King and Boles fires.
“The wildfires in Northern California serve as a reminder that dry conditions can be the precursor to devastating loss,” Brown in a Wednesday night statement. “Anne and I extend our deepest sympathies to those who have suffered such terrible losses in the fires.”
Last month, Brown issued an emergency proclamation for wildfires in El Dorado, Amador, Butte, Humboldt, Lassen, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Modoc, Shasta and Siskiyou counties and this month’s executive order waiving fees to replace documents such as driver’s licenses and birth certificates for those affected by the fires.
This week Brown also secured federal fire management assistance grants for the King, Boles and Courtney fires.
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