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By Miriam Raftery
Photo: King Fire viewed from Lake Tahoe, by Steve Ellsworth, courtesy Cal Fire Blogspot
September 20, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) --Over 7,800 firefighters continue to battle seven major wildfires burning in California, CAL-FIRE reports. Of greatest concern is the King Fire in El Dorado County, which has burned nearly 81,000 acres and continues to threaten 21,000 structures. A suspected arsonist has been arrested for allegedly starting the King Fire.
Overnight, crews made progress on several fires including full containment on the destructive Boles Fire in Siskiyou County and the Silverado Fire in Orange County. Firefighters continue to mop up on several other fires with full containment expected this weekend for the Courtney Fire in Madera County, the June Fire in Mono County and the Meadow Fire in Yosemite National Park.
For details on each of the many fires burning statewide, click "read more" and scroll down.
In Northern California gusty north winds could fan the active wildfires and will heighten the fire danger as conditions rapidly dry out. Gusts of 20-30 mph are likely. Firefighters are concerned that the winds may shift the direction of the King Fire, pushing it back to the South.
By Monday conditions should cool down though. In Southern California most areas should experience relatively cooler temperatures and higher humidity, which will help lower the fire risk.
This weekend CAL FIRE is asking residents to be extra careful in the outdoors in order to prevent sparking a wildfire. One less spark means one less wildfire. Learn more at www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
Fires of Interest:
**CAL FIRE Incidents**
Boles Fire, Siskiyou County (more info…)
The city of Weed
* 479 acres – 100% contained
* All evacuations have been lifted
* Approximately 150 structures destroyed
Courtney Fire, Madera County (more info…)
off Courtney Ln, east of Oakhurst
* 320 acres – 93% contained
* All evacuations have been lifted
* 56 structures damaged or destroyed
**Unified Incidents**
King Fire, El Dorado County (more info…)
CAL FIRE / USFS – El Dorado National Forest
northeast of Pollock Pines
* 80,944 acres - 10% contained
* Evacuations in effect for over 2,800 people
* 21,000 structures threatened
**Federal Incidents**
Irene Fire, Alpine County (more info…)
USFS - El Dorado National Forest
Mokelumne Wilderness area
* 93 acres – 45% contained
June Fire, Mono County (more info…)
USFS - Inyo National Forest
On June Mountain near June Lake
* 65 acres – 85% contained
* CAL FIRE is assisting
Meadow Fire, Mariposa County (more info…)
Yosemite National Park
east of Half Dome in the Little Yosemite Valley
* 4,772 acres – 90% contained
Silverado Fire, Orange County (more info…)
USFS – Cleveland National Forest
Silverado Canyon area
* 968 acres – 100% contained
Happy Camp Complex, Siskiyou County (more info…)
USFS - Klamath National Forest
Near Happy Camp
* 130,139 acres – 74% contained
* CAL FIRE is assisting
July Complex, Siskiyou County (more info…)
USFS - Klamath National Forest
Several locations throughout Siskiyou County
* 50,042 acres – 98% contained
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