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CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Firefighters are battling a wildland fire on Sulphur Bank Mine Road in Clearlake Oaks, with weather and wind creating concerns for the fire's spread.
The fire was first dispatched at 1:38 p.m. Saturday, with several callers having reported the fire to Lake County Central Dispatch.
The incident's exact address was given as 12556 Sulphur Bank Mine Road, according to radio reports.
Northshore Fire, Cal Fire, Lake County Fire and US Forest Service personnel responding to the scene found the fire three to five acres upon arrival, with a moderate rate of speed and a wind behind it, based on scanner reports.
Cal Fire Battalion Chief Greg Bertelli said Cal Fire was hitting the fire aggressively from the air, with four air tankers and two helicopters working the blaze.
“We went heavy on the aircraft to stop it before it hit the ridge,” he said.
Radio reports indicated power lines in the area were creating a hazard in the firefighting effort. The 20-mile-per-hour winds also were creating challenges.
Shortly before 2 p.m. the fire had grown to about eight acres with the wind behind it starting to increase, radio traffic indicated.
At 2:20 p.m. incident command reported that the fire was about 15 acres in size and 20 percent contained.
Just after 2:30 p.m. the fire was holding at 15 acres and was 60 percent contained, according to Bertelli.
By 3 p.m., after a Cal Fire copter flew the fire, the size estimate was increased to 19 acres and 95 percent containment.
Bertelli said a weather pressure system passing through the area was leading to concerns.
“We're expecting some winds increasing and to be shifting,” he said.
In addition to the air resources, Bertelli said there were three engines from local government fire agencies, an engine and a water tender from the US Forest Service, and five engines and two dozers from Cal Fire.
Additional details will be posted as they become available.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
