LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Fire officials said containment has increased on a wildland fire south of Lower Lake, with some evacuations remaining in place.
The 29 Fire, burning since Thursday afternoon along Highway 29 and Perini Road, remains at 300 acres, having burned a barn and 10 vehicles, according to Cal Fire and county officials.
While Cal Fire said the fire's forward spread has been stopped, the number of personnel assigned to the incident since Thursday night has nearly doubled, rising to 363.
Cal Fire said firefighters are working hard to build and improve fire line, and are aided by 34 engines, 16 crews, one helicopter, three bulldozers and five water tenders.
Following a morning briefing on the fire, Lake County Deputy Administrative Officer Debra Sommerfield told Lake County News that officials were keeping in place mandatory evacuations for the Murphy Springs area.
A Red Cross evacuation shelter at Lower Lake High School remains on standby, Sommerfield said. No community members went to the shelter Thursday night.
She said about 30 Pacific Gas & Electric customers remained without power Friday morning, with the company expecting full power restoration by 8 p.m. Friday.
Highway 29, which had been closed during the initial fire response and then under one-way traffic control overnight, has been fully reopened, Sommerfield said.
Cal Fire said Murphy Springs Road remains closed.
Sommerfield said the fire's cause remains under investigation.
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