Ferocious summer blazes that have burned thousands of acres in the North State, especially in Siskiyou County and beyond, show conditions are at a flashpoint.
The latest forest inferno, named the Forward Fire, had burned 160 acres in eastern Tehama County and was 5% contained Saturday morning after generating giant smoke plumes Friday afternoon.
Extremely dry brush, heat hovering well above 100 degrees, steep terrain and gusty winds helped spread the Forward fire on Friday. A gusty north wind blew up to 20 mph early Friday afternoon, spreading the fire when it started.
Last week’s heat wave was expected to ease and aid firefighters over the weekend, said Cory Mueller, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sacramento. Sunday’s high temperatures were expected to drop into the 80s to give crews a temporary reprieve.
Meanwhile, firefighters have been busy with last Thursday’s Eliza Fire northwest of Yreka, the devastating Mill Fire in Weed and Lake Shastina, the Mountain Fire southwest of Gazelle, and others in Siskiyou County.
