For Cal Fire’s Joshua Rubinstein, today and the overnight hours will be critical in the effort to strangle the Jerusalem Fire.
Overnight into Thursday crews doubled containment, from 16 percent to 33 percent. Working along the southern and eastern perimeter of the blaze during daylight hours yesterday, they were able to make significant gains again.
By 8 p.m. on Thursday, firefighters had hemmed in half of the blaze — 50 percent containment — and slowed Jerusalem’s advance. At press time, Cal Fire estimated damage at 24,000 acres, an increase of just 500 acres over a 12 hour stretch.
But forecasts call for triple digit temperatures to return over the weekend, along with a potential drop in humidity levels.
“The temperature, but more the humidity in conjunction with wind — that’s what we’re concerned about,” Rubinstein said on Thursday night. “If we can get through the next couple of days, we’ll be looking good,”
With the Rocky Fire at nearly full containment, patrolled by mop up crews, Cal Fire was able to throw additional resources against Jerusalem on Thursday. A total of 24 engines shifted from other fires, bringing the total arrayed against the fire east of Hidden Valley to 164. These worked alongside 19 aircraft and 21 water tenders.
Almost 200 firefighters were added to the line, as well. As of Thursday evening, 2,214 men and women were committed to the fight against Jerusalem.
The scene was familiar to firefighters along the perimeter. All-terrain vehicles can reach some areas, but others are accessible only on foot or by air. Dense vegetation turned into standing fuel by years of drought caused significant smoke and plumes of intense heat when they erupted into flames.
But air tenders and helicopters attacked hot spots throughout the day. And the men and women on the ground attacked aggressively, while 30 bulldozers slashed out firebreaks.
“They’re tired, but with accomplishment you start feeling like we’re getting to where we want to be,” Rubinstein said. “People are starting to have a sense of optimism.”
Mop up work continued along the area blackened by Rocky, with no evidence of spread. Crews assigned to Rocky also devoted time to clean up and environmental repair.
Meanwhile, all mandatory evacuation orders and road closures associated with Jerusalem remain in place. Cal Fire kept the expected date of containment at Aug. 17.
For firefighters, however, the work continues.
“Confidence begins to improve,” Rubinstein said of the significance of 50 percent containment. “But until the fire is out, nobody rests on their laurels. It’s not over by any means.”
