Cal Fire: Faulty Water Heater Caused Rocky Fire In Lake County
LOWER LAKE (CBS13) – Authorities revealed Wednesday that the destructive Rocky Fire was caused by a faulty gas water heater.
Cal Fire investigators say the water heater was in an outbuilding off of Morgan Valley Road west of Lower Lake that also housed some unidentified flammable liquids. When the faulty heater caught fire on July 29, investigators say, the flames quickly spread to the surrounding vegetation.
The fire went on to burn nearly 70,000 acres, destroying 43 homes, before it was fully contained last week.
More than 13,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes due to the Rocky Fire.
Investigators are still looking into what sparked the nearby Jerusalem Fire, which began 10 days after the Rocky Fire. As of Tuesday, the Jerusalem Fire is 95 percent contain but has burned more than 25,000 acres and destroyed 9 homes.
Cal Fire says crews are continuing to battle a total of 16 active wildfires across California. Firefighters are counting on milder temperatures for help in gaining ground on the flames.