Saturday, September 27, 2014

California King Fire: Rain Aids Firefighters, Local Infrastructure Spared

Heavy rains and projected wet weather for the weekend are giving firefighters the upper hand against the massive King Fire. 
The wildfire, which has burned more than 150 square miles in the Sierra Nevada, is close to several hydroelectric plants and power lines.
Although it’s destroyed a dozen homes near the town of Pollock Pines in El Dorado County, most of the area’s infrastructure (including several reservoirs important to Northern California) has been spared.
"Temperatures have dropped considerably, and relative humidity values have increased since earlier in the week. This, coupled with a slight chance of rain through the weekend, will provide more favorable conditions for managing the flames,” weather.com meteorologist Chrissy Warilow said.
The King Fire that authorities say was started Sept. 13 by an arsonist was 68 percent contained Friday.
The fire burned intensely through more than 5 miles of the canyon carved by the Rubicon River, which is designated a wild trout river. Walsh said damage to the river and its fish will depend on whether the fire leads to erosion and mudslides this winter.
The fire also passed through the Leonardi Falls Botanical Interest Area, known for its unique and sensitive plants. Walsh did not know how much damage was done to the 215-acre site northeast of Stumpy Meadows Reservoir.
It burned around three sides of the reservoir itself, which is the sole water supply for the 2,400 residents of Georgetown, 15 miles downstream. But the flames missed a boat launch, recreation area and the historic Gold Rush town's water distribution system.
The fire came within a mile of the El Dorado Irrigation District's power house along the South Fork of the American River, and within 8 feet of a pipe that feeds mountain water to the hydroelectric plant. Surveillance cameras showed flames burning near other buildings and wooden flumes without doing harm.
"Fortunately, we dodged a couple bullets," utility spokeswoman Mary Lynn Carlton said. "We were really lucky."
http://www.weather.com/safety/wildfires/california-king-fire-20140926

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