Lake County >> A faulty gas water heater in an outbuilding is to blame for one of the two fires that eventually joined forces to create the Rocky Fire, Cal Fire law enforcement said Wednesday. That fire is 95% contained, and a cause for it is still under investigation.
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While the cause has been determined, the circumstances surrounding the fire starting remain under investigation.
Their case now revolves around identifying reasons that may have caused the heater to malfunction, such as age, rust or manufacturing issues, Mohler said.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection investigators determined that the fire originated from a faulty water heater in a property’s outbuilding on Morgan Valley Road. In the 16 days that followed, the fire spread 70,000 acres and burned 43 homes.
No structures are threatened but the Jerusalem fire at this point, Cal Fire said, though nine residences and 18 other buildings have been lost.
More than 13,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes due to the Rocky Fire.
Firefighters had the almost 2-week-old Jerusalem fire in Lake County 97 percent contained on Friday and continued to work on fire lines and fire suppression within the perimeter, officials said.
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CAL FIRE continues to urge residents to take all precautions to avoid sparking a wildfire.
