CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – After another day on the fire lines, firefighters were able to keep the acreage on the county’s major wildland fire from growing further while they gained greater containment on the incident.
Cal Fire reported Thursday night that the Wye Fire had stayed at 7,934 acres, with containment rising to 85 percent.
Officials had anticipated full containment by next Monday, but progress over the past few days indicates they are ahead of schedule.
The Wye Fire includes two incidents – the Wye Fire near Highway 20 and Highway 53 and the Walker Fire, burning near Walker Ridge Road in Lake and Colusa counties.
Both began burning on Sunday afternoon and are now being managed as one incident by Cal Fire Incident Management Team 4.
The number of personnel on the fire was rolled back by nearly half by Thursday evening. Cal Fire reported that there were 755 personnel, 82 engines, 24 fire crews, two helicopters, seven dozers and nine water tenders.
Officials said Highway 20, while open to traffic in both directions, has a strictly enforced speed limit of 45 miles per hour through the fire area.
The fire’s cause remains under investigation.
The Wye Fire Call Center can be reached at 707-967-4207 or 707-967-4208.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .