More than 12,000 people have been evacuated.
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Crews are continuing to battle a rapidly-growing wildfire, dubbed the Rocky Fire, that doubled in size overnight just north of Santa Rosa in Northern California.
Fears that the fire might move closer to the city of Lower Lake had been eased, firefighters said. “Current strategic constraints include lack of access to areas of the fire, very hot and dry weather, critical fuels and changing winds….” “Firefighters continue to construct fire line in an effort to achieve full perimeter control”. “Damage assessment teams have begun initial assessments based on access through fire affected areas”.
Cal Fire says the fast-moving has charred 71 square miles by Sunday morning and is threatening 5,000 homes.
“This is an unprecedented fire event that is happening on this forest, and forests throughout California”, US Forest Service fire management official Mike Minton said.
“Due to #RockyFire near Clear Lake, Highway 20 is closed from Highway 16 to Highway 53 for all through traffic in both directions”, A Californian fire department statement reads.
Evacuation centers were set up at two schools. The fire has been burning for several days now growing to more than six square miles. They said the boy faces criminal charges but is not in custody because he and his family are cooperating. The biggest danger from this fire is the smokey conditions.
The state has called in additional resources from the National Guard and from outside California. There is some encouraging news about the Wragg Fire burning in Napa and Solano counties near Lake Berryessa.
Firefighters battling raging wildfires in Northern California are getting support from San Diegans. Sign up for the free Essential California newsletter >>.
The US Forest Service said David Ruhl, an engine captain from South Dakota’s Black Hills National Forest, died while battling the Frog Fire that broke out Thursday in the Modoc National Forest about 160 kilometres south of Oregon.
Numerous California blazes were sparked by lightning and exacerbated by tinder dry trees and grass and erratic winds, Pimlott said.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
Meanwhile, a woman was arrested in connection with a small fire near Groveland, a stop-off point for travelers headed to Yosemite National Park. Her bail was set at $100,000.
Ominous cloud… Ventura and Santa Rosa fire personnel look out towards a huge plume of smoke caused by the Rocky fire near South Lake, California. The scene is all too familiar for residents in Southern California.
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1 p.m.: This post has been updated with details about conditions.
