How to resolve AdBlock issue? LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Electrical equipment is believed to be the cause of a fire that burned along Highway 29 on Tuesday.
The Thomas fire broke out Tuesday afternoon in a field alongside Highway 29 and near Rainbow Ag, as Lake County News has reported.
Kelseyville Fire Chief Joe Huggins said the fire was not mapped, but its total size has been estimated at between 35 and 40 acres.
He said a man turned on his well pump, and the pump arced with wires from an old wind machine that had been removed.
“It took off pretty quick,” said Huggins, noting the situation was exacerbated by what he called “extreme” conditions.
Besides very dry vegetation, firefighters had to deal with a 15-mile-per-hour wind, said Huggins. “It went sideways on us pretty quick.”
It took about two and a half hours from dispatch to containment, with mop up continuing for a few more hours on Tuesday, he said.
Huggins said that on Wednesday afternoon firefighters finished picking up fire hose that had remained on site in case it was needed.
While the situation in Lake County looks extreme, “It's looking bad everywhere,” said Huggins.
Due to drought conditions, vegetation dried out earlier than normal this year, and Huggins also noted that there appear to be more wind events than is typical.
“We're in for a long summer, I think,” Huggins said.
Meanwhile, across the rest of California, Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant said Wednesday that approximately 4,000 firefighters remained on the front lines of major wildland fires.
He said hot weather is expected to return, bringing higher fire danger.
Berlant said 95 percent of wildfires in Cal Fire's jurisdiction are sparked by the activity of people, “which means almost every fire is preventable.”
Cal Fire urges the public to take steps to prevent sparking a wildfire. To learn about wildland fire preparedness, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org .
A rundown of major incidents around the state follows, with size estimates through late Wednesday.
Cal Fire incidents
– Corrine fire: Began June 18 in Madera County; 920 acres, 98-percent contained. Three outbuildings destroyed, evacuations lifted. Cause is under investigation.
– Park Hill fire: Began June 20, San Luis Obispo County; 1,791 acres, 100-percent contained. Sixteen structures and nine vehicles (including two RVs used as residences) destroyed. Cause was carbon buildup from an unknown vehicle exhaust system.
– Loma fire: Began June 24, Contra Costa County, 533 acres, 90-percent contained.
Unified command fires
– Lake fire: Began June 17 in San Bernardino County; 17,525 acres, 33-percent contained. Evacuations remain in effect; 500 structures threatened. Cause is under investigation.
Federal incidents
– Saddle fire: Began June 10 in Trinity County; 1,542 acres, 95-percent contained. Caused by lightning.
– Sky Fire: Began June 18 in Madera County; 500 acres, 95-percent contained. Caused by a vehicle.
– Washington Fire: Began June 19 in Alpine County; 17,205 acres, 10-percent contained. Caused by lightning.
Other incidents
– River fire: Began June 22 in Ventura County; 164 acres, 100-percent contained.
– Calgrove fire: Began June 24, Los Angeles County; 350 acres, 45-percent contained.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
