CA Wildfires Begin to Wane at Summer's End
By Michael Cabanatuan
Source San Francisco Chronicle
Sept. 05 -- While the state’s biggest and most destructive wildfires have been extinguished or largely encircled, firefighters continue to battle blazes in mostly rural areas of Northern California.
The Ranch Fire in Mendocino, Lake and Colusa counties — the largest wildfire in state history — is 98 percent contained and expected to be fully controlled by Sunday. The cause of the blaze, which started July 27, remains under investigation.
The inferno burned through more than 410,000 acres and is the larger of the two-fire Mendocino Complex; together with its counterpart, the River Fire, they charred 459,000 acres in addition to destroying 157 homes and 123 other structures, as well as killing one firefighter.
The Hirz Fire, northeast of Redding near Shasta Lake, is the largest of the wildfires still burning. It has charred 46,142 acres and is 70 percent contained.
Firefighters increased containment of the blaze overnight Tuesday, keeping flames away from Yellowjacket Mountain and the northern and western ends of the conflagration. The Hirz Fire is expected to be contained by Sunday.
In the Emigrant Gap area of Tahoe National Forest near Interstate 80, the North Fire increased to nearly 1,000 acres Tuesday night, burning in steep, rocky terrain on both sides of the North Fork of the American River Canyon, officials said. The blaze is just 10 percent contained.
Several campgrounds in the area have been closed and the Placer County Sheriff has shut down the on- and off-ramps from I-80 at Emigrant Gap Road, Yuba Gap Road and Crystal Lake Road. No evacuations have been ordered.
The Sliger Fire, which ignited Tuesday afternoon near Georgetown close to the El Dorado-Placer county line, forced evacuations that have been partially lifted. The fire has charred 80 acres and is 30 percent contained.
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