Robinson Fire forces evacuation warnings

Firefighters continuing controlled burns in hot, dry weather

CHICO » After updates about hot, dry weather for the week, firefighters saw the warnings ignite and battled a fire Monday afternoon near the Robinson Mill area.

After initially responding around 2:10 p.m., by 3:20 p.m., Cal Fire-Butte County reported the fire at 20 acres and zero percent contained with no injuries.

At around 4 p.m., the Butte County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation warnings for Rackerby Swedes Flat Road, Le Fever, Gold Mountain and Stoney Oaks Loop including Obert Road due to the fire.

At about 4:53 p.m, Cal Fire-Butte County reported “Forward progress of the fire has been stopped, fire is approximately 25 acres and 20% contained. Crews will be working throughout the evening gaining full control and getting line around the perimeter.”

The Sheriff’s Office lifted its warnings around 5:15 p.m. By 5:30 p.m., Cal FireButte County indicated in an incident report that it had a handle on the fire, with 40% containment. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Continued risk

Risk of fires continues this week as temperatures are forecast to surpass 100 degrees Fahrenheit each day through Friday in Butte County.

With midday high temperatures nearing the triple digits Monday through Sunday and breezy, dry conditions according to National Weather Service Sacramento, vigilance by local fire crews will be maintained.

According to the Northern California Geographic Coordination center report for Monday, light north to northeast winds in the nighttime during inland areas and overnight humidity recovery will be poor. Hot and dry weather will hold to Wednesday and a “high risk of fire development” beginning Thursday is due to possible lightning and thunderstorm activity.

However, Cal Fire-Butte County Fire Chief John Gaddie said Monday morning no red flag warning is currently expected this week.

As the breezes currently being experienced are from a south wind, “the opposite of winds like in the Jarbo Gap,” Gaddie said it won’t change the atmosphere as much as a north wind would.

“It is going to be hot and dry, but south winds do act differently,” he said.

While not much can be done until an incident occurs, all staff are on hand, as “there are no major fires in the state right now,” Gaddie said.

“All forces are in the unit,” he said and are ready to go when needed.

Cal Fire-Butte County Vegetation Management Battalion Chief Gus Boston said the unit just completed an annual summer drill at Loafer Creek, focusing on “several skills for fighting vegetation fires” using all engines and resources.

Cal Fire-Butte County was working on a Cohasset Road and Jack Rabbit Flat vegetation management project last week, Gaddie said.

Another vegetation project at Loafer Creek area in Oroville will continue for the remainder of the week near Saddle Dam, Boston added.