Gov. Jerry Brown, center, speaks next to Mark Ghilarducci, director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, left, and Cal Fire Chief Ken Pimlott, right, at a news conference at Cowboy Camp Trailhead near Clearla…
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At least 43 houses have been destroyed by the so-called Rocky Fire in parts of Lake, Yolo and Colusa counties, about 100 miles northwest of Sacramento, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, also known as Cal Fire.
Smith said 1,500 other residents are still waiting to return to their homes after they were evacuated shortly after the fire ignited July 29. It has already crossed highways, fire lines and other barriers which were expected to contain it. On Saturday, the fire grew by 22,000 acres, engulfing an area of land that had been predicted to take a week to burn.
A red flag warning, however, remains in effect throughout Northern California, where gusty winds and dry fuels increase the fire threat.
“It’s huge progress”, she said.
She told the station she saw one chicken wandering in the rubble.
“She was nameless. Now her name is Rocky”, said Rivas, dubbing the bird for the blaze that officials call the Rocky Fire. Frawley says the fire is 45 percent contained and he expects that number to reach more than 50 percent today thanks to humid weather.
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Much of the timberland is owned by small timberland and rangeland owners, who rely on timber and range revenue for a steady source of income. More than 10,000 firefighters were battling 17 major fires in the state Saturday, said Cal Fire spokesman Dan Berlant.
