UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Despite challenges from gusting winds, firefighters on Friday were able to continue their progress on the Elk fire burning near Upper Lake.
The Elk fire had burned 670 and was 40-percent contained as of Friday night, Cal Fire said.
The fire, which began on Wednesday afternoon, is located off Elk Mountain Road and Mount Dinger Road, north of Upper Lake.
Firefighters with Cal Fire and the United States Forest Service – which hold unified command on the incident – continued to improve existing fire line and build additional direct hand line around the perimeter of the fire on Friday, officials reported.
There were significant winds of 30 miles per hour along the ridgetops on Friday, but firefighters still raised containment on the incident, according to Cal Fire.
The spread of the fire has been stopped, and firefighters continued to monitor and extinguish hot spots within the perimeter overnight. Officials also said there remains a large amount of unburned fuel within the lines.
Also on Friday, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. restored power to those residences that were still affected by the power loss that occurred when the fire started on Wednesday, Cal Fire said.
Resources assigned on Friday included 270 firefighters, 26 fire engines, 18 fire crews, four helicopters, four water tenders and three bulldozers, according to Cal Fire.
Fire officials asked the public to be extremely cautious while working or recreating near dry fuels for the remainder of the fire season.
Using equipment, parking in dry grass, mowing, dragging tow chains, and cooking all are avoidable causes of fire. Learn more by visiting www.preventwildfireca.org .
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Winds challenge firefighters working Elk fire
- Elizabeth Larson
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