SONOMA COUNTY ? Extinguishing the Pine Fire on Pine Flat Road in Sonoma County cost $1.7 million as of Wednesday evening, CalFire reported.
CalFire contained the fire that charred 300 acres about 6 p.m. Wednesday east of Geyserville and west of the Geysers Complex, CalFire reported.
One crewmember suffered heat exhaustion, another had a possible broken finger and one person received stitches for a chain saw cut, said Suzie Blankenship, fire prevention specialist. All injured crew went to the hospital with minor injuries and were released.
The fire didn”t damage rural homes and high-tension power lines it had threatened after it started about noon Monday, CalFire reported.
About 68 fire personnel, four engine crews, three hand crews and a commander will monitor the fire today, Blankenship said.
Crews squirt water on smoky spots, turn over logs and improve fire lines by moving away grass and brush, said Kim Thompson, incident commander and CalFire battalion chief.
“We make sure if an ember does blow it doesn”t blow across the fire line,” Thompson said.
Thompson said it was fortunate the fire burned only 300 acres during hot, dry weather in the rugged terrain.
“It was difficult,” Thompson said. “That area has a history of 5,000- to 10,000-acre fires under those conditions.”
Contact Katy Sweeny at ksweeny@record-bee.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
