CalFire officials hope to have the Summit fire doused by Friday,
but by Wednesday morning, it was at least contained, according to
Fire Prevention Specialist Chris Morgan.
Also with this story: photo gallery of the fire, and an
interactive map.
CalFire officials hope to have the Summit fire doused by Friday, but by Wednesday morning, it was at least contained, according to Fire Prevention Specialist Chris Morgan.
At the height of the blaze, 3,089 people were working the fire, but by 6 a.m. Thursday, that number was down to 1,330, as crews are being released.
“We have been and are going to continue more demobilization of resources,” Morgan said. “The first priority are some of the structure protection groups, engines, bulldozers.”
The cause of the fire that started early Thursday morning near Summit Road and Maymens Flat has not yet been determined, Morgan said.
“We still have investigators working on it,” he said. “Sometimes it takes a while to get all the information together. With some fires, the cause is obvious, a power line down, sparks from a lawnmower on dry grass, but with others, it takes more work.”
A resident in the area told several news outlets that a neighbor had hired a company to clear some property, and the workers had burned the brush but had left the fire unattended, but CalFire officials have not confirmed that this started the fire.
A total of 4,270 acres have burned, and Morgan said the fire is not expected to spread further because it has been completely contained. The damage assessment team has been called in, and they have reduced the number of homes destroyed to 31 from 36 but raised the number of outbuildings demolished to 61 from the 18 they believed destroyed yesterday. The number of outbuildings includes sheds, garages, barns and any kind of structure that is not a residence.
The cost of fighting the fire has increased to $14.85 million.
Twelve firefighters suffered minor injuries, including sprains, strains and cuts, Morgan said, but all have returned to duty. As the firefighters finish their work in the area, there are still possibilities for more injuries.
“There are still hot spots and safety concerns,” he said. “There are a lot of trees that are burned through, and one will fall occasionally. Everybody has to pay attention when mopping up out there.”
All of the roads that were closed while the fire raged have been reopened to residents with identification, but Morgan said they may be totally reopened in the next day or so.
Weather conditions are favorable, Morgan said, with 48 percent humidity Wednesday with cooler temperatures and light winds.
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