The outbuilding fire caught nearby vegetation on fire, and the flames quickly spread to the surrounding area, according to CAL FIRE’s news release.
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They say the blaze was sparked by a faulty water heater in an outbuilding in Clearlake.
The cause of the fire is 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.
The errant hot water heater was located in an outbuilding on a Morgan Valley Road property in southeastern Lake County, he said.
The fire destroyed 43 homes and 53 outbuildings.
More than 13,000 residents were under evacuation at the fire’s peak, and 7,500 homes were threatened, Cal Fire stated. The Rocky fire is fully contained while the Jerusalem fire was 95 percent contained on Wednesday.
While the Jerusalem Fire burned very close to the Rocky Fire, the cause is unrelated and remains under investigation, Cal Fire said.
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The agency’s August . 19 statewide fire summary said 16 active wildfires continue to burn in California and more than 10,000 firefighters are battling them.
