The water heater was in an outbuilding, investigators said. They determined that the heater and its flammable liquids set the outbuilding ablaze, which then ignited nearby vegetation and quickly spread to the surrounding area.
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While the cause has been determined, the circumstances surrounding the fire starting remain under investigation. Although initially small, it burned almost 70,000 acres over the next 16 days, destroying 43 homes and 53 outbuildings. More than 13,000 residents were impacted by evacuations, and the blaze forced the closure of main highways in Lake, Colusa and Yolo counties.
Cal Fire had predicted 100 percent containment by Friday, but the stubborn fire was likely not to get there for at least another day, spokeswoman Suzie Blankenship said. The fire was fully contained on August 14, 2015.
The fire reportedly started on July 29 as two fires before they merged into one, according to CalFire.
Firefighters continue to contain the Jerusalem Fire, which is burning just south of the Rocky Fire area.
No structures are threatened but the Jerusalem fire at this point, Cal Fire said, though nine residences and 18 other buildings have been lost.
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As of Tuesday evening, Cal Fire reported that the Jerusalem Fire is 95 percent contained, with 25,118 acres consumed.
