Rugged terrain makes containment of Sequoia forest fire difficult
By: Associated Press - | ∞
SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST -- Rising temperatures and dropping humidity levels have hampered efforts to fight a wildfire that has burned about 3,900 acres of remote grass, brush and wooded areas, officials said.
Officials don't expect the Goldledge Fire in Sequoia National Forest to be fully contained until June 20, said Geri Adams, a U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman. The blaze, which began June 3, was about 65 percent contained as of Friday morning, after firefighters were helped by cold front in the area.
Gusty winds and low humidity helped spread the blaze 10 miles north of Kernville earlier in the week.
Authorities believe the blaze was started by someone across the street from the Goldledge Campgrounds, Adams said. They had no suspects, and the cause remained under investigation.
Residents from a recreation area called Horse Meadow were still not allowed to return to about 20 cabins and trailers. They were evacuated Monday after the fire came within a mile from the private property.
Campgrounds along the Kern River, Mountain Road 99 and Sherman Pass Road remained open.
The wooded area, at an altitude of 7,000 feet, is home to a mix of different pine trees, the California spotted owl and the weasellike Pacific fisher, Adams said.
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