The Mill Fire, which was burning near Weed, was pretty much contained as of today. But then a second fire broke out in the same Northern California county. The Mill fire has burned 4,254 acres and some 100 structures.
Another fire burning in Siskiyou County, the Mountain Fire, is now presenting fire crews with more concerns after growing overnight from roughly 4,800 acres to 6,451 acres, according to Cal Fire. The Mountain Fire, which was only 5% contained Sunday, forced the evacuations of more than 300 people living in the remote rural area of Siskiyou County, officials said.
With the addition of the Mountain Fire, firefighters are having to fight fires on two fronts. The winds were definitely a worry, firefighters were concerned that the winds would help spread embers and start more fires. They are still mainly focused on defending structures.
The Governor was California, Gavin Newsom, declared a state of emergency for Siskiyou County. This will give the county support and resources.
The mayor of Weed, meanwhile, reported new details on the Mill Fire, which ravaged her town of more than 2,600 people, injuring several people as they fled the flames and damaging or destroying at least 132 structures, including many homes.
Mayor Kim Greene told ABC news the Mill Fire started Friday in an old warehouse at the town’s lumber mill, the Roseburg Forest Products, which sits near a park and a cluster of homes she said were nearly all destroyed.
Green said many people had only minutes to escape. An ABC News crew observed several walkers and wheelchairs abandoned along streets as people fled for their lives. Numerous vehicles sat charred in roadways and driveways of homes completely destroyed.
We should be most concerned for the firefighters. They are battling winds, and even if there is a break from the winds, they have to worry about the high temperatures that the fires are causing. Firefighters are taking great precautions to physically protect themselves.
Source ABC News
