Monticello Fire Jumps In Size, But Some Residents Staying Put
YOLO COUNTY (CBS13) – Thick smoke is spread across the sky. The fire lines on the ground are growing, but fierce flames are reaching high enough to touch tree-limbs.
Steve Ramsey lives nearby and was evacuated.
"It always gets dry up in the hills, it's always rolling brown hills," Ramsey said. "But when you've got communities mixed in with the grass, you've definitely got potential."
In one 12-hour period, the fire more than tripled in size.
"It just keeps exploding. You get a north wind blowing through here, it's just going to wipe everything out," Ramsey said.
The fire also forced campers to evacuate on this holiday weekend.
"Oh my gosh, what are we going to do. But then, what can you do? Grab everyone, get everyone out and go," said Lisa, a camper who was evacuated.
Drought-like conditions are working against fire crews.
"Three years of drought and really dry weather is playing a part," said Cal Fire Capt. Amy Head.
Not everyone is complying with evacuation orders. Richard Cowen said he's staying, but has the car packed just in case.
"If the smoke comes this way, we'll smell it and we get up and five minutes later we're out if here," Cowen said.
There have been no reports of building damage or injuries. The fire is 30 percent contained as of Saturday night.