Firefighters in Northern California were bracing for another scorching day Sunday as they battled the Mill and Mountain wildfires, which have burned 16 square miles, destroyed up to 100 homes and still threaten hundreds more.
The Mill Fire, which started Friday in the Siskiyou County community of Weed, had burned 4,254 acres and was 25 percent contained by early Sunday, Cal Fire reported.
The fire has injured at least three civilians, burned 50 structures and threatens 411 more, Cal Fire says, with 1,000 people evacuated.
Weed Mayor Kim Greene has said the damage could be worse, with reports of at least 100 homes destroyed, many of them in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood. Cal Fire says 132 structures “were affected” and ground crews will be working Sunday to survey damaged areas to confirm actual losses.
Firefighters continue to work on the Mountain Fire in Siskiyou County, seen burning along Gazelle Callahan Road on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. The fire had burned 6,541 acres and was 5 percent contained, Cal Fire said in a Sunday morning update. Jonathan Rivas Special to The Bee
Map of the mill fire
This live updated map shows the location of the Mill Fire, right, and the Mountain Fire, with satellite heat detection data for hot spots. Click the legend button for more information. iFrames are not supported on this page. Sources: US Department of the Interior, IRWIN, NIFC, NASA, NOAA, and Esri
The mountain fire, which started Friday afternoon 10 miles northwest of the Mill Fire and southwest of the community of Gazelle, was the focus of firefighters’ efforts Sunday as they worked to secure fire lines around the north and west flanks, Cal Fire Capt. Matt Ryan said. in an operational briefing.
The fire was 6,541 acres and 5% contained, with 690 structures threatened and 332 people evacuated.
Winds in the area continued to be a concern, with dry weather and temperatures in the mid-90s, and as high as 103 degrees by Tuesday, hampering firefighting efforts.
Weed officials have said the mill fire started Friday in a shed in an unused portion of the Roseburg Forest Products Mill that was slated for demolition, though there is no official confirmation yet.
City officials declared a state of emergency Saturday and were working to get food from a local grocery store to evacuees. Governor Gavin Newsom also declared a state of emergency to aid in the response effort.
Town residents had been without power since Friday, but Pacific Power said it had restored power to about 75 percent of its customers by Saturday morning.
The company said 2,697 customers remain without power and that it could take up to 48 hours for crews to restore service.
A community meeting is planned for 3 p.m. Sunday at Big Springs Union Elementary School, 7405 County Highway A12 in Montague.
This story was originally published on September 4, 2022 at 8:20 am.
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Sam Stanton has worked for The Bee since 1991 and has covered a variety of topics including politics, criminal justice and breaking news.