Crews continue to gain ground against Rices Fire
NEVADA COUNTY >> Firefighters gained containment Thursday and anticipated even more progress Friday against the Rices Fire, burning along the Yuba River.
Milder weather conditions were expected to continue, though winds were expected to get up to gusts as high as 18 mph Friday, according to a statement from Cal Fire.
The wildfire, which began around 2 p.m. Tuesday, had burned 904 acres and hadn't expanded since Wednesday. It was 22% contained as of 7 a.m. Friday.
Cal Fire spokeswoman Mary Eldridge said Friday morning that a civilian was injured on the first day of the fire but only went for treatment Thursday. That person did not have a serious injury and was treated and released, she said.
According to Cal Fire, a dozen firefighters have suffered heat-related injuries or exhaustion. They are expected to rejoin the fight, Eldridge said. One firefighter suffered a minor foot injury.
Crews, including specialists climbing ropes, worked to mop up warm areas and keep trees that are growing out of cliffs from igniting.
“We worked aggressively throughout the day and have seen very little fire growth,” Cal Fire Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit Deputy Chief Jim Hudson said at a Thursday news conference. “We do anticipate seeing some increase in the containment percentage of this fire.”
Hudson said crews were working in difficult conditions.
“We continue to have challenges on the west side of the fire along the Yuba River drainage,” Hudson said. “Crews are … working on constructing containment lines, but the topography and steep terrain has posed some challenges.”
On the east side of the blaze, there was no growth in the fire perimeter. Officials downgraded some evacuation orders to warnings. Residents were allowed to return to the Buttermilk area and the southern half of the French Corral area, according to the Nevada County Sheriff's Office.
“People still need to be safe and be paying attention,” said Capt. Sam Brown. “The fire is not out.”
Some 250 structures remain threatened, according to Cal Fire. One had been destroyed.
The blaze broke out at Rices Crossing and Cranston roads, south of Dobbins, according to Cal Fire. The cause was traced to a structure fire.
Cal Fire said it expects full containment to be reached next week.