East County News Service
September 14, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Over 11,000 firefighters are battling 12 large fires across California. The fires have destroyed hundreds of homes and threaten thousands more. Several firefighters have been injured (but are recovering) and at least one life has been lost in the Valley Fire. Robert Louis Stevenson state park is closed due to the fires, which also continue to threaten giant sequoias at Kings Canyon National Park.
County Fire Chief Tony Mecham and the CAL FIRE unit in San Diego assure that stations in San Diego County are open and fully staffed; all days off for CAL-FIRE firefighters have been cancelled. He also urged local residents to be prepared in case fires occur here, warning of dangerous conditions.
“While temperatures are cooler than they were last week, conditions remain extremely dry, which is allowing fires to burn at a rapid rate,” a press briefing issued by CAL FIRE Captain Kendal Bortisser on behalf of Chief Mecham states. “With major destruction from the Valley Fire and the Butte Fire, fire officials advise the public to spend some time to ensure they are prepared for wildfires. Everyone should have an evacuation plan and know what items they would take if a fire threatened their area.” (Learn more at www.ReadyForWildfire.org. )
Below are updates on the major fires. For the most current information visit http://calfire.ca.gov/communications/ActiveFiresList.php
**CAL FIRE Incidents**
Valley Fire, Lake County (more info…)
Across southern Lake County
* 61,000 acres – 10% contained
* Evacuations remain in effect for thousands
* Several hundred structures destroyed by the fire
Butte Fire, Amador & Calaveras Counties (more info…)
East of Jackson
* 71,523 acres – 35% contained
* Evacuations remain in effect
Lumpkin Fire, Butte County (more info…)
Robinson Mill area
*800 acres – 20% contained
* Evacuations remain in effect
Antelope Fire, Kern County (more info…)
Kern County Fire
South of Tehachapi
*45 acres – 90% contained
Oak Fire, Tuolumne County (more info…)
Northeast of Sonora
* 108 acres – 95% contained
**Federal Incidents**
Rough Fire, Fresno County (more info…)
US Forest Service – Sierra & Sequoia National Forests
2 miles north of the Kings Wild and Scenic River
*138,053 acres – 40% contained
* CAL FIRE continues to assist
Tenaya Fire, Mariposa County (more info…)
US Park Service – Yosemite National Park
north rim of Yosemite Valley, east of Yosemite Falls
*415 acres – 85% contained
South Complex, Trinity County (more info…)
US Forest Service – Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Near Hyampom, south of Hwy 299
*29,416 acres – 89% contained
Fork Complex, Trinity County (more info…)
US Forest Service – Shasta-Trinity National Forest
South of Hyampom
*36,499 acres – 97% contained
River Complex, Trinity County (more info…)
US Forest Service – Shasta-Trinity National Forest
New River Drainage, near Denny
*75,028 acres – 42% contained
Nickowitz Fire, Del Norte County (more info…)
U.S. Forest Service – Six Rivers National Forest
*7,386 acres – 78% contained
Gasquet Complex, Del Norte County (more info…)
U.S. Forest Service – Six Rivers National Forest
on the Gasquet Ranger District
*30,328 acres – 46% containment
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