Pictures by SOJOURNERS
Two homes, multiple outbuildings, several vehicles, farming equipment, electrical poles, fence posts, new and old baled hay and ready to harvest grain fields were lost in this fast moving 1,100 acre wildland fire Wednesday afternoon. (A conservative estimate at 5:00 PM)The fire was accidentally started by a person clearing dry weeds near his home with a lawnmower. Due to the gusting winds It quickly went to 15 acres in about 10 minuets.
At the height of the fire there were at least 24 Fire Engines, 6 Water Tenders, 5 hand Crews, 4 Copters and 6 Air Tankers working the fire. All local recourses were stripped by 5:00 PM And several 5 Engine strike teams were in route from out of the area.
Lassen County ARES EC Terry Cobb, K6ME was initially used by the Sheriffs Office to notify homeowners of mandatory evacuations. Then directed traffic until the highway was closed and traffic re-routed.
Pictures were taken showing my arrival on the Janesville, CA. side of Bald Mountain. The progression of the fire as it took out the first home and progressed over Bald Mountain proper and back to the valley floor threatening multiple ranches and homes on the Standish, CA side.
There were some heroic saves by fire personal but sadly several homes were a total loss.
The local American Red Cross group was activated in case a shelter
was needed. And they were working with the unfortunate families for
temporary housing etc.
By 6:00 PM and intensive mop up was underway. Fire personal
will remained on
the scene and the fire lines overnight and probably well into Thursday or
Friday.
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(Click on image for full-size picture.)
Pictures Courtesy of:
Terry Cobb, K6ME C028L
