The 125-acre fire in the Black Bart Trail area of Potter Valley continues to burn as firefighters from as far as Santa Clara join local crews to complete a fire line around it, hopefully by the end of the day. Sheriff Tom Allman said this morning after a meeting of emergency personnel that the fire is under investigation and no cause has yet been determined. He said authorities are hoping to let people back onto their properties as soon as possible and that access to the area will be limited to residents only. Two fire trucks and a state agency pickup truck were burned in the blaze as the fast moving fire swept through drought-dry valleys and hillsides. Seven structures were destroyed in the blaze Saturday, Allman said, noting that it is not clear whether all of those were homes. A couple of people went to the Red Cross shelter opened at Eagle Peak Middle School overnight. Allman said firefighters told him that the fire was particularly difficult as spot fires would pop up as much as half a mile from the fire line. “Calfire says this fire was ‘fuel driven,’” Allman said, which means it gathers speed as it goes and then creates its own wind and spreads. The priority for firefighters, Allman said, was protecting homes and structures. Sheriff’s deputies were also on hand to monitor marijuana grows and be on hand to keep possible burning marijuana gardens from creating a hazard. Allman said there were only minor injuries through the incident thus far. As for the needs of the fire-hit community, Allman said “I can tell you we are going to have some fundraising to do,” but he asked that local citizens not start bringing clothing or supplies to the Red Cross or anywhere else until emergency staff have a better idea of what is needed.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 15:53:06 +0000
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