Crews battling the Sawmill Fire in Sonoma County made headway on Monday, despite the return of scorching temperatures.
Aided by an evening cool spell and low humidity overnight Sunday, firefighters blunted the fire’s progress and clamped a 20 percent containment line around its perimeter. At press time the line held, stalling the blaze at 1,500 acres.
Flames ignited shortly before 11 a.m. Sunday in grassland off Big Geysers Road and Geysers Resort Road approximately 10 miles east of Cloverdale.
Although it spread moderately at first, the fire picked up pace as it hit pockets of oak parched by drought. Firefighting efforts were slowed initially by limited access and difficult terrain. Wind picked up after noon, further driving the flames.
A water tender on its way to support the battle rolled over Sunday afternoon, also affecting the attack.
No injuries were reported in the accident.
What had been a 300 acre flicker scorched 1,500 acres by Sunday evening. But Cal Fire began hammering at the Sawmill fire from the air, sending 8 air tankers and 6 helicopters on repeated sorties.
By Monday morning Cal Fire was able to reduce this force to 4 helicopters.
As the Sawmill Fire began belching smoke on Sunday afternoon, the visible plume hanging over rugged landscape traversed by Highway 175 caused many in Lake County to believe Cobb Mountain was engulfed in flames again.
Just before 2 p.m., however, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office sent a Nixle report assuring residents the fire had not crossed the county line.
Lake County deputies are aiding in the effort.
