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Over 100 structures damaged or destroyed in Boles Fire at Weed, California

Author Bill GabbertPosted on Categories UncategorizedTags ,

(UPDATE at 11:10 a.m. PDT, September 17, 2014)

CAL FIRE has revised upward the number of structures that were damaged or destroyed in the Boles Fire that devastated much of the small town of Weed in northern California, now saying 150 structures have been affected. They are calling the 375-acre fire 25 percent contained.

Wednesday morning the Angel Valley and Hoy Road areas were still under evacuation orders. Firefighting resources assigned include 969 personnel, 72 engines, 20 hand crews, and 5 helicopters.

A reward of “up to $10,000” has been offered for anyone providing information about how the fire started.

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(UPDATE at 3:35 p.m. PDT, September 16, 2014)

Boles Fire damage
An aerial view of the effects of the Boles Fire. CAL FIRE photo. (click to enlarge)

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(UPDATED at 8:30 a.m. PDT, September 16, 2014)

CAL FIRE is still going with the estimate of “over 100 structures damaged or destroyed” in the Boles Fire in the northern California town of Weed. Three of the homes belonged to firefighters. The 375-acre fire is listed at 20 percent containment and evacuations are still in place affecting 2,000 people in the communities of Weed, Carrick, and Lake Shastina.

When the fire started south of Weed Monday afternoon it was pushed by a strong southeast wind gusting over 40 mph. Later in the day the wind slowed, making it possible for firefighters to stop the forward spread of the fire around sunset.

The fire is being managed by CAL FIRE, so the chances are we will not see a map of the fire any time soon.

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(UPDATED at 8:25 p.m. PDT, September 15, 2014)

CAL FIRE PIO Daniel Berlant said at about 8 p.m. that the fire had damaged or destroyed over 100 structures, and had burned about 300 acres. (Update at 9 p.m.: 350 acres and 15 percent contained.)

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(Originally published at 5:31 p.m. PDT, September 15, 2014; updated at 5:56 p.m.)

Boles Fire
The Boles Fire, looking at Weed, CA from the south. KRCR7 photo.

On the internet feed that relays radio traffic from a new fire that broke out at about 1:38 p.m. PDT on Monday, firefighters can be heard estimating that 75 and later 100 structures have been damaged or destroyed in the Boles Fire at Weed in northern California. Pushed by a strong southeast wind at 26 mph gusting at more than 40 mph, the fire has crossed both Interstate 5 and Highway 97, requiring the closure of both highways. There are reports that there is fire in the attic of a school in Weed, as well as structures at a lumber mill. Evacuations are occurring in several areas.

Boles fire
Boles fire, Caltrans cam at I-5 and US 97.

Weed is 58 miles north of Redding, California and 66 miles south of Medford, Oregon. Two DC-10 air tankers have been ordered along with several other aircraft. The DC-10s will probably reload at Medford; Redding also has an air tanker base. With the King Fire near Placerville spreading rapidly, there will likely be competition for firefighting resources.

The area is under a Red Flag Warning until 9 p.m. Monday for strong winds and low relative humidity. The forecast through Tuesday evening predicts winds of 25 mph gusting to 44 mph, gradually decreasing to 14 mph with 23 mph gusts.

In addition to the dozens of engines and water tenders previously ordered, at 5:12 p.m. PDT firefighters placed an order for 20 additional water tenders. With the electricity shut off, obtaining water from traditional sources could be problematic.

At about 5:10 p.m. on Monday, Air Attack said they have a retardant line around about 60 percent of the fire, and most of it is holding, But in other areas firefighters are reporting they are making progress on spot fires, but “we are getting hundreds of them”.

The Incident Commander estimated at about 5:40 p.m. that the fire was 15 percent contained.

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

9 thoughts on “Over 100 structures damaged or destroyed in Boles Fire at Weed, California”

    1. It is going to be hard to find one, Joe, because CAL FIRE is running the fire. They rarely provide maps, as you can see here on CAL FIRE’s Maps page for the Boles Fire.

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  5. .

    Thanks for the report. I certainly hope they can keep holding this one down. And let’s hope they catch a break with the weather,

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