How to resolve AdBlock issue? NORTH COAST, Calif. – A fire in and around The Geysers geothermal steamfield continued to grow on Saturday, but firefighters were able to increase containment on the blaze.
The McCabe Fire, which began early Friday morning in the midst of a major windstorm, is located on the Sonoma County side of the steamfield, with officials reporting that it has been moving toward Lake County.
By Saturday night, it had grown to 3,000 acres, with containment at 25 percent, according to Cal Fire.
It's expected to be contained on Wednesday, Cal Fire said.
So far, one structure – a geothermal plant cooling tower – has been destroyed, with about a dozen other structures threatened, the agency said.
Initially, 278 Calpine employees were evacuated from the company's geothermal power plant for their safety. Cal Fire said that, as it becomes safe, the employees are being allowed to return to work in the compound.
Cal Fire said fire crews have been challenged by the strong and erratic winds blowing through the region in recent days, as well as the area's steep, rugged terrain.
On Saturday, 120 fire engines, 68 fire crews, 27 bulldozers, 14 helicopters and a total of 1,758 personnel were assigned to the McCabe Fire, according to Cal Fire.
The fire has led to road closures for the general public on portions of Cloverdale-Geysers Road and Healdsburg-Geyser Road at Mercuryville, with Cal Fire noting that residents are allowed to use the roads to access their homes.
In addition to Cal Fire, cooperating agencies include a number of fire agencies from Sonoma and Napa counties, as well as Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol and the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, state Office of Emergency Services, California Department of Correction and Rehabilitation and Sonoma County Fire Services.
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