Governor Brown has issued an emergency proclamation for the state of California and the 11 counties where out of control wildfires are leaving a trail destruction. The fires, most started by a rash of lightning storms that tore through our area last week, have destroyed thousands of acres, homes and other structures and damaged critical infrastructure.
More than twenty major fires are being worked this morning, with the National Weather Service predicting another week of dry lightning and gusty erratic winds; exactly what fire fighters do not want to see.
Eiler Fire Closes Highway 89; Day, Bald Fires Increase in Size
The Day Fire
The Day fire, burning in Modoc County two miles north of the Community of Day has burned more than 12,850 acres and is 45% contained.
The fire has destroyed five residences and two outbuildings.
Evacuations which had been put into place on Saturday for Lookout Ranchettes have been lifted and the two county roads (93 and 94) that had been closed by the fire have reopened.
There have also been four injuries reported in the lightning-sparked blaze.
According to Susanville Interagency Fire Center’s evening update firefighters made great progress on Sunday. Fire behavior has moderated. Occasional torching and spotting continues.
The Bald Fire
The Bald Fire is burning eight miles southeast of Fall River Mills in very rugged terrain and grew to 39,600 acres over the weekend. Fire officials say this fire is only 5% contained with an estimated containment of August 17th.
Crews are being hampered by the thick 6-foot tall Chaparral and extreme fire behavior; group torching, rapid rates of spread and spotting up to 4 miles.
“Critically dry fuels will continue to be the main driver of fire behavior,” explained a fire official. “Fire should continue to spread north, southeast and east with low humidities and high temps. Resistance to control will be very high and spot fires will ignite and spread readily.”
The Eiler Fire
The 25,900 acre Eiler Fire, four miles southeast of Burney, has forced evacuations of homes in the immediate area. The fire is burning through timber and brush with crews reporting extreme fire behavior in the afternoon.
Firefighters spent Sunday constructing and burning-out fire line along flanks, holding and improving existing fire line, point protection and defense of structures.
They expect the fire to continue to spread north, east and southeast. Resistance to control is very high and spot fires will spread rapidly.
