LAKE COUNTY >> A structure fire Tuesday at Edge Water Resort on Soda Bay Road claimed one unit of a duplex cabin, along with an outbuilding.
Crews from the Kelseyville Fire Protection District, supported by Lakeport and Cal Fire, were able to knock the blaze down quickly, limiting damage to the second unit of the duplex. Proximity to the lake and clean lawns helped contain the fire.
Still, firefighters did have to endure some drama. Shortly after they arrived on the scene, flames reached one of two sizeable propane tanks. The gas ignited, causing an explosion that ignited a nearby wood pile.
“That gets your attention,” said Kelseyville Fire Chief Joe Huggins, who was positioned about 25 yards from the tank at the time. “They had a lot of propane. My ears are still ringing.”
Firefighters and law enforcement evacuated nearby properties. No injuries were initially reported.
Huggins credits the crew on the first engine to reach the fire for rapidly corraling the blaze.
“Those guys did a great job,” he said. “They spared a lot of property.”
Shasta Fire threatens Spring Valley
The fire on Soda Bay — the 6000 block — Tuesday morning followed an evening of battle against a wildland flare up in Spring Valley that started late Monday afternoon, scorched three acres, briefly threatened structures and destroyed one outbuilding, Northshore Fire Protection District Chief Jay Beristianos said from the scene.
The fire apparently started when a tree fell into power lines, igniting the surrounding dry grass and low-lying brush. This caused a power outage lasting more than 16 hours for 550 Spring Valley customers, according to Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E).
Fire units from Northshore and Cal Fire responded to the fire on Shasta Road near Indian Hill Road. This included two 14-person hand crews from the Konocti Conservation Camp in Kelseyville.
Lake County Sheriff’s deputies blocked off Shasta from Indian Hill to New Long Valley Road. The fire was contained around midnight although crews stay at the scene overnight to watch for flare-ups.
Fortunately the fire moved up a hill at a slow to moderate rate of speed. Steep terrain and downed power lines slowed arriving trucks. Most of the initial attack came from helicopters dropping water and airplanes dumping bright red fire retardant.
This allowed both hand crews and hose line firefighters to reach the blaze and further contain it and then put it out.
There were no evacuations ordered although several residents self-evacuated. For a brief time, a pen of horses was threatened but the fire never reached the animals. One resident with a horse led the animal away on foot.
Many neighborhood residents said they heard the crack of the tree falling and then a loud “boom” just before the fire started.
The cause of the structure fire at the Edge Water Resort is under investigation.
