NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – While wildland fires around Northern California continued to grow in size on Thursday thanks to hot, dry conditions, state, local and federal firefighters gained ground on the blazes.
Chief among the fires in Northern California is the 7,000-acre Panther Fire, located north of Butte Meadows in the Ishi Wilderness Area in Tehama County, according to Cal Fire.
Cal Fire said Thursday evening the fire – the reported size of which had increased by about 5,000 acres since the morning report – was 10 percent contained. There was no immediate threat reported to homes or infrastructure.
The Panther Fire, which began on Wednesday morning in timber and timber slash, was being fanned by dry, windy conditions, and had a moderate to rapid rate of spread in the steep terrain where it was burning, located in the Mill Creek and Deer Creek drainages.
On Thursday evening, Cal Fire said 27 engines, 497 firefighters, eight dozers and five water tenders were assigned to the incident.
Lake County Air Quality Management District reported on Thursday that it was the Panther Fire that was responsible for the smoky haze hanging over parts of Lake County.
Near Elk Creek in Glenn County, firefighters gained ground on the 306 Fire, which began on Wednesday and by Thursday night had reached 217 acres and 50-percent containment, according to Cal Fire. It was burning on steep terrain near Road 306 on Gravelly Ridge.
Resources assigned included 255 firefighters, 11 engines, 12 fire crews, one dozer and two water tenders, Cal Fire said.
In the Knights Valley area of Sonoma County, northwest of Calistoga, the Yellow Fire – which also began on Wednesday – had burned 125 acres by Thursday evening but was 80 percent contained, Cal Fire said.
The fire is burning in steep terrain and heavy fuels off of Highway 128 and Yellow Jacket Ranch Road, the agency reported.
Approximately 145 fire personnel, 10 engines, six fire crews, one helicopter and one dozer were working the Yellow Fire on Thursday evening, with Cal Fire noting that heavy mop up and fire suppression damage repair activities are under way.
Fire officials said that smoke may be visible within the fire perimeter for several days, and urged anyone driving through the incident area to use caution because of fire equipment at work.
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