Two fires burn in mountainous terrain east of Chico
Sacramento Bee-3 hours ago
Two fires burning in mountainous terrain south of Highway 32, about 40 miles east of Chico, began within hours of each other Wednesday ...
Panther Fire in Butte County grows to 300 acres
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Two fires burn in mountainous terrain east of Chico
Published: Wednesday, May. 1, 2013 - 5:58 pm
Last Modified: Wednesday, May. 1, 2013 - 7:39 pm
Two fires burning in mountainous terrain south of Highway 32,
about 40 miles east of Chico, began within hours of each other Wednesday
morning, a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection official said.
The Panther Fire burned approximately 300 acres by late afternoon while the Cedar Fire, about 12 miles away, consumed 55 acres. Both are south of Butte Meadows and burning in timber and timber slash, said Cal-Fire Capt. Matt Damon.
“The two fires are unrelated. The cause for both is still under investigation,” he said.
Dry, windy weather is pushing the Panther Fire toward steep terrain. Two helicopters were deployed but had to turn back because of high winds. There is no containment so far.
The smaller Cedar Fire is 40 percent contained. Weather conditions there permitted the use of a helicopter and air tanker during part of the day.
Cal-Fire Butte County and Lassen National Forest crews are among more than 300 personnel responding to the blazes. Officials are requesting more resources statewide.
“This is extremely early in the fire season,” Damon said.
end quote from:
The Panther Fire burned approximately 300 acres by late afternoon while the Cedar Fire, about 12 miles away, consumed 55 acres. Both are south of Butte Meadows and burning in timber and timber slash, said Cal-Fire Capt. Matt Damon.
“The two fires are unrelated. The cause for both is still under investigation,” he said.
Dry, windy weather is pushing the Panther Fire toward steep terrain. Two helicopters were deployed but had to turn back because of high winds. There is no containment so far.
The smaller Cedar Fire is 40 percent contained. Weather conditions there permitted the use of a helicopter and air tanker during part of the day.
Cal-Fire Butte County and Lassen National Forest crews are among more than 300 personnel responding to the blazes. Officials are requesting more resources statewide.
“This is extremely early in the fire season,” Damon said.
end quote from:
Two fires burn in mountainous terrain east of Chico
As I headed north up Interstate 5 from the San Francisco greater area I felt kind of worried about this fire season because the hills are already sort of yellow and away from the normal green this time of year. Though rainfall is normal to above most places, the problem is most of it fell in November, December and January this year. So, there has been some rain but not a lot in March and April through the state. So, the rolling hills of wild oats and other things that one normally sees driving north in some places on Interstate 5 were already brown. When the wind picked up to about 40 to 60 miles per hour I started to worry about fires with this combination. Sure enough, the winds brought an early start to the fire season. Cal Fire Engines were coming south to the fires as we headed north up Interstate 5.
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