POLLOCK PINES, Calif. — Assessment teams hope to get an idea Saturday of how many structures have been damaged or destroyed by a massive wildfire that threatens thousands of homes in northern California.
Although officials confirmed that several structures have been lost in what is being called the King fire, dangerous conditions have prevented them from determining an exact number, said fire spokesman Mike McMillian. The blaze began one week ago, and a man accused of starting the blaze is being held on $10 million bail.
Record amounts of retardant have been dropped on the fire that is about 60 miles from Sacramento, and the blaze spread another 6 square miles overnight as forecasters say smoke from it could be seen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Nearly 5,000 firefighters — from as far as Florida and Alaska — are helping California crews battle the blaze that has not only consumed grass and brush, but swaths of extremely dry tall timber.
“That’s what makes it difficult for a direct attack,” McMillian said. “The main fuel that is burning is the tall timber. We’re making some progress, but it is slow going in some areas as we’re trying to construct more contingency and control lines.”
Also of concern is possible wind gusts of up to 30 mph that could push the fire, which has spread north, to the south, said state fire spokeswoman Lynne Tolmachoff.
“That would open up a whole new area for it to burn in,” Tolmachoff said.
Burning in rugged, steep terrain, the wildfire has consumed about 126 square miles and forced the evacuation of 2,800 people and burned multiple structures in the White Meadows area of Pollock Pines.
More than 21,000 structures are threatened as the fire is 10 percent contained.
