This just in
From the SJ Mercury News:
Wildfire west of Patterson is 85 percent contained
Bay City News Service
A wildfire burning west of Patterson in Stanislaus and Santa Clara counties since last Sunday is now 85 percent contained, according to California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention spokeswoman Pam Rhoten.
The blaze has consumed an estimated 32,414 acres, most of which are in Stanislaus County. The fire is the largest burn in the area since the 1960s, according to Rhoten.
`The good news is that the fire is not making any more forward motion` in any direction, Rhoten said. The fire's advance into Santa Clara County has been halted since Saturday, according to CDF Fire Prevention Specialist Chris Morgan.
CDF is predicting that the fire will be contained by 5 p.m. today, according to Rhoten. However, weather conditions could present some obstacles. Firefighters will be battling the blaze over steep terrain in 101-degree heat with relative humidity at only 15 percent. Wind in the area is expected to be 8 mph with gusts up to 18 mph.
`There's a real potential still in this fire for wind to blow embers,` Rhoten said. She said another danger is that fire can roll down hills.
Firefighters will be burning out some partially burned areas today to prevent smoldering sections from re-igniting later on.
The fire has destroyed 10 homes and damaged one. It has also destroyed three outbuildings and damaged three others. Flames are no longer threatening any additional structures, Rhoten said.
The effort has cost more than $8 million and is currently engaging 2,051 firefighters and support staff. In addition, 14 helicopters, 163 engines, 56 hand crews, 32 bulldozers and 32 water tenders are being used to fight the flames.
Three firefighters suffered minor injuries over the night, bringing the total number of injuries to firefighters to eight, according to Rhoten. All of the injuries have been minor.
Del Puerto Canyon Road has remained open since 5 p.m. Friday, Rhoten said.
The blaze, which started in the Del Puerto Canyon west of Patterson near the Frank Raines Regional Park, is no longer seriously threatening Henry Coe State Park, the largest state park in Northern California, covering 87,000 square miles.
Flames did reach the edge of the park, Rhoten said, but all forward motion into the park has been halted. She said that it is extremely difficult to fight fire in the park because of limited access and steep terrain.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but according to Rhoten, they may never know precisely how it started.
CDF is asking anyone who may have information on the cause of the fire to call the CDF fire investigation hotline at (800) 468-4408. CDF is also asking anyone who may have seen a person or vehicle between post markers 12 and 13 in the Del Puerto Canyon Road area on Sunday at around 4 p.m. to contact CDF fire investigators.
