More resources join Pawnee fire effort; acreage growth slows
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Hundreds more firefighters joined the effort to fully contain the Pawnee fire on Wednesday, with acreage growing modestly and containment rising.
Cal Fire’s Wednesday evening report put the fire’s acreage at 13,700, up by 200 acres from the morning estimate, with 30 percent containment, a 5-percent gain during the day.
Approximately 3,066 firefighters were committed to the incident on Wednesday, along with 234 engines, 33 water tenders, 15 helicopters, 79 hand crews and 71 dozers.
A Cal Fire damage assessment released Wednesday put the total structures impacted at 27. Of those, 22 were destroyed, including 12 homes and 10 outbuildings, and five – three homes and two outbuildings – had minor damage.
Cal Fire said firefighters took advantage of favorable weather conditions to build direct control lines, but heat still continued to be a challenge on the incident.
Experts are developing a plan to repair damage to natural resources caused by fire suppression activities, Cal Fire said.
The improved conditions led to the lifting on Wednesday of the mandatory evacuation of the Spring Valley Lakes subdivision, but officials said evacuations remain in place for Double Eagle Ranch and the area of Walker Ridge.
The evacuation center at Lower Lake High School remains open, and those with animal-related needs can call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Road closures still in effect are New Long Valley Road at Highway 20, Old Long Valley Road at Highway 20, Walker Ridge at Highway 20 and Mule Skinner Road at Highway 20.
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