Firefighters caught in flare-up
USA: Firefighters caught in flare-up
Source: The Appeal-Democrat, 26 October 2001
Lois Gormley
Nine firefighters were forced to deploy their fire shelters Thursday when they were caught in a flare-up along a section of
the fire control line in a 1,150-acre arson-caused wildfire burning north of Oroville.
Shannon Sanders, information officer for the California Department of Forestry andFire Protection, said seven of the firefighters used their shelters to protect them from the flames while two others used theirs to shield them as they moved to a safer location. The fire shelters are pup tents made of fire-resistant material, she said.
None of the firefighters were injured. Three engines were also caught in the flare-up, which occurred when fire conditions intensified for an unknown reason shortly before 1 p.m., but they suffered no damage, Sanders said. The blaze has been dubbed the “70 fire” because it is burning along both sides of Highway 70. That highway remained closed for a second day at Highway 149 south and Highway 89 north. The blaze was 60 percent contained Thursday evening and full containment is expected by 8 a.m. today, she said. By that time, officials predict the fire will have grown to 1,800 acres, she said. Sanders said an incendiary device has been recovered but no arrests have been made. No further details are being released at this time. There have been six injuries, all minor, since the fire began at 5 a.m. Wednesday, according to CDF officials. Steep, rugged terrain and low humidity continued to pose a problem Thursday but winds were expected to decrease. A precautionary advisory has been issued for evacuation of the area, but the evacuation center closed at noon Thursday because it was empty, said CDF information officer Cindy Wilson Thursday morning.
More than 1,240 firefighters, including some from Yuba City and Linda, continue to fight the blaze, which threatens about 153 structures but has not yet destroyed any, Sanders said.
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