Steady rain and cool temperatures aided fire control efforts on Wednesday. Crews were able to extend and strengthen lines around the Valley Fire perimeter, gaining 35 percent containment on the 70,200 acre monster by 8 p.m.
As night fell, there was a prevailing hope that rain would continue, further dampening fire activity.
While weather meant relief for the small army of 3,128 men and women committed to the fight against the deadly Valley Fire, for those attempting to restore power lines, rain hampered efforts. Still, PG&E brought 500 workers into the area. On Tuesday they managed to install more than 100 new poles. Wednesday they continued to reconnect lines and cut burnt timber from the area.
Cal Fire crews surveyed the damage and authorities deployed cadaver dogs in response to numerous calls regarding potentially missing persons. As of 8 p.m., the count remained 528 homes destroyed. Law enforcement confirmed four missing people. There has been one fatality so far.
The perimeter stood at 70,000 acres on Wednesday morning, up almost 2,000 acres from Tuesday night. However, much of that apparent spread was due to fire operations conducted by crews, taking advantage of the weather to destroy fuels in advance of the line.
At the start of the day, firefighters expressed doubt about the value of the coming rain. In their experience, storms bring wind — and resulting unpredictable fire behavior. But the air remained relatively still and rains were steadier than anticipated.
Resources continued to arrive, as well. Cal Fire was able to deploy 358 engine crews, and additional 58 hand crews, 65 bulldozers and 17 aircraft.
Mandatory evacuation orders remained in place, although law enforcement officers were escorting some residents in to damaged areas to check on homes and animals. As of 8 p.m. on Wednesday, road closures in Lake County included -175 south of-29, 29 at Red Hill Rd., 29 at Diener Dr., 29 at Seigler Canyon, Bottle Rock Rd. south of 29 and 175 at Dry Creek cut off. Hwy. 29 was also closed to southbound traffic at 53.
