Rocky Fire In Lake County Grows To More Than 13,000 Acres

LAKE COUNTY (CBS SF) – The Rocky Fire continued to grow Thursday, scorching more than 10,000 acres of rugged terrain in Lake County, about 100 miles northeast of San Francisco.

As of 9:55 p.m., Cal Fire reported that the fire burned 13,500 acres and is only five percent contained. Authorities said at least three structures have been destroyed and several outbuildings were damaged.

The fire broke out around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday around Morgan Valley Road and Rocky Creek Road, near the town of Lower Lake. The fire quickly grew to more than 8,000 acres by Wednesday night.

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Despite the firefighters' best efforts, the wind brought new life to the fire. And with triple digit heat, new flames ripped through more acres.

"This four-year drought and dry vegetation made for some serious spotting across the lines," Brice Bennett of Cal Fire told KPIX 5.

Jim Borawski, who lived in the area, said, "I've never seen flames so tall, 200, 300 foot flames."

About 650 people remain evacuated Thursday, according to Cal Fire. An evacuation center has been set up Middletown High School in Middletown. Officials have closed an evacuation center in Clearlake.

Borawski came back to his house after he thought it was safe. "As we drove back, the flames were still spotty here and there. Within an hour or two after I got to the house, I realized I shouldn't be here," Borawski told KPIX 5.

So far, Borawski's home is safe. But Stephen Gilardi's wilderness ranch is gone.

"We have to face our worst nightmare, to have your entire place burn up," Gilardi said.

Gilardi tried to remain optimistic. "It is not the end of the world," he said.

Cal Fire said there are nearly 1,000 firefighters responding to the Rocky Fire. Among the firefighters, a crew from the UC Davis fire department.

The cause of the fire remained unknown as of Thursday.

In:
• Fire
• Wildfires
• Lake County