LOWER LAKE >> For fire crews battling Rocky, the routine has become a little like the movie Groundhog Day — work containment lines, beat down flare ups, rest for a bit and head back for more of the same. Only on Wednesday, they continued to gain ground on the California’s most aggressive blaze.
By 9 p.m. on Wednesday night, Cal Fire reported Rocky 30 percent contained, up from 20 percent on Tuesday and 12 percent at the start of the week. And the uncontrolled area barely advanced. At press time, 69,600 acres had been claimed by Rocky — just 2,600 acres in a day from a force capable of claiming three times more in hours.
“They’re feeling confident,” Cal Fire’s Jeremy Gaeta said. “They’re tired, but keeping their heads up.”
On Tuesday evening, Cal Fire completed an investigation of the damage. Barring a further spread of Rocky, they now count 43 residences destroyed, up from 39.
Authorities cautioned that the fire’s history gives reason for continued vigilance. High temperatures and low humidity, wind gusts and poor overnight recovery tend to fuel Rocky’s fury. But Cal Fire continued to commit new crews to the effort. On Wednesday, almost 3,500 firefighters and other personnel were engaged.
New hand crews arrived to continue containment line construction on the southeastern edge of the fire area. The teams already completed layers of bulldozer lines to the south and cut across a spur heading toward Highway 16.
The 323 fire engines ran continuous patrols all day, coordinating with air drops, and provided support in the effort to contain the blaze that jumped Highway 20 on Monday, threatening Spring Valley.
“That’s the biggest area of concern,” Gaeta reported. “But they are holding it.”
Fire crews are generally operating according to a 24 hours on, 24 off schedule. This allows Cal Fire to constantly rotate in fresh teams.
Behind the scenes, firefighters are receiving tremendous local support. Several organizations are pitching in, with the Red Cross operating shelters at Kelseyville High School and Middletown High School. There is an official animal shelter in Lower Lake, but some displaced livestock ended up with Lake County Animal Care and Control in Lakeport. The organization is seeking donations of feed for pigs, horses, ducks and other animals.
Meanwhile the Middletown School District and Konocti Unified School District decided to push back the first day of school.
Despite the headway, Cal Fire pushed back their anticipated containment date from Aug. 10 to Aug. 13. Even that is tentative.
“That’s just a hope,” Gaeta said. “Until it’s 100 percent contained, anything can happen.”
Evacuation orders remain in place. More than 13,000 residents have been affected by mandatory and advisory orders. Almost 7,000 homes are listed as threatened.
If there is one consensus, it is in praise of the fire crews.
“They are still holding the line,” Gaeta said. “They are doing a good job.”
