CLOVERDALE >> Firefighters tightened their grip on the Sawmill Fire on Tuesday, increasing containment to 75 percent at press time. That figure was expected to increase during the overnight hours.
A further indication that crews had the Sonoma County blaze under control came as roads reopened. The damage has remained at 1,500 acres since a combination of air drops and hand crews halted the fire’s progress Sunday night.
On Tuesday temperatures in the 90s could not contain progress. Although two minor injuries were reported by Cal Fire, the effort was aided by calm winds. The stable perimeter allowed fire crews to concentrate of stamping down unburned brush within the 1,500 acre area.
Despite Cal Fire’s ongoing battle against the Soberanes Fire and a second, equally aggressive blaze erupting in the Santa Cruz mountains, the Sonoma Lake Napa division, along with local departments, were still able to commit over 1,000 personnel to the line.
Due to the difficult terrain, they were aided by 15 water tenders and 4 helicopters.
By 7 p.m. on Tuesday Cal Fire reduced the force to just over 700.
The Sawmill Fire broke out at 10:50 a.m. Sunday near Big Geysers Road in Sonoma County, just over the Lake County line. Throughout the afternoon on Sunday local residents observed the pall of smoke.
