California Wildfire

Firefighters Struggle to Contain California’s Largest Wildfire Northwest of Sacramento

The Rocky Fire has burned 54,000 acres and is only 5% contained. Officials say the state’s record-setting drought is largely to blame.

The Latest: California Wildfire grows after jumping containment

A fire approaches U.S. Highway 16 in Yolo County, Calif., Monday, August 3, 2015. Cooler weather helped crews build a buffer Monday between a raging Northern California wildfire and some of the thousands of homes it threatened as it tore through drought-withered brush that hadn’t burned in years. (Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee via AP) MAGS OUT; LOCAL TELEVISION OUT (KCRA3, KXTV10, KOVR13, KUVS19, KMAZ31, KTXL40); MANDATORY CREDIT

Firefighters are trying to stand their ground after a massive blaze jumped Highway 20, which had served as a containment line. The blaze grew to almost 97 square miles and plumes of black smoke rose as helicopters dropped water from the sky.

Cal Fire says fire crews are working aggressively to sustain control in the steep and rugged terrain.

2:10 p.m.

Evacuated residents say a massive wildfire burning in Northern California flared up and spread fast.

The fire about 100 miles north of San Francisco in the Lower Lake area roughly tripled in size over the weekend to 93 square miles. More than 13,000 people have been required or advised to evacuate. Two dozen homes have been destroyed.

Donna McDonald, who lives in Clear Lake, said Monday at one point she saw no smoke at all. Then the fire flared up again.

Lower temperatures and higher humidity allowed firefighters to contain more of the fire.

http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/fires/article29886043.html