Lower Lake >> Firefighters continued to bring down a wildfire 3 miles south of Lower Lake Tuesday afternoon.
After stopping forward progress on what had become a rapidly spreading blaze Monday afternoon, Cal Fire was able to declare the 40-acre blaze 75 percent contained.
Known as the “Murphy Fire,” having erupted near Murphy Springs, the event looked like trouble for a time on Monday. It originally flared as a series of three to five smaller fires, merged.
Fire crews arrived quickly at the scene after the fires started at approximately 2:44 p.m. They were able to call upon resources — particularly air tankers — fighting blazes in Mendocino County. Still, the fire gathered momentum and began to take off to the south.
At one point the Murphy Fire forced closures on Highway 29 and Hofacker Lake. More alarmingly, it threatened between 50 and 100 structures.
Fortunately, no evacuation orders were necessary. By around 5 p.m. crews began to cancel incoming units and aircraft as progress was made.
Fire crews announced via scanner that forward progression of the blaze had stopped and 50 percent was contained by approximately 9: 40 p.m.
A Cal Fire spokesman said five engines, two water tenders, and an aircraft had been at the scene all of Tuesday morning and afternoon. Cal Trans no longer had any traffic restrictions and reopened Highway 29 lanes.
Investigations and further details on the fire are still underway.
