Authorities say just about anything could have started any one of the wildfires now tearing through Northern California. Fire officials have not yet determined the cause of any of the major fires burning in wine country, or further inland in the valley. They say anything from a carelessly discarded cigarette, a downed power line, a car’s backfire or a chainsaw could all be a possible ignition source. There are even suggestions by a KQMS listener that it was meteor fragments. The Draconid Meteor showers typically produce a lot of shooting star activity and they peaked on Sunday when the fires started.
–The Redwood Complex north of Ukiah has burned 30,000 acres with just 5% containment.
-The fight is going well against the Cherokee Fire burning north of Oroville. It’s 8360 acres with 60% containment. Evacuations have been lifted.
–The Honey Fire southwest of Paradise is almost defeated after burning 150 acres it’s 65% contained.
–The fire that devastated Bangor is still only 25% contained. The La Porte fire has burned 6060 acres.
–Farther south in Yuba County the Cascade Fire north of Collins Lake has burned 10,100 acres with 45% containment.
The La Porte and Cascade Fires are being managed along with 3 Nevada County fires as the “Wind Complex”. Together they’ve destroyed at least 111 homes, 2 commercial buildings and 104 other structures. They’ve also caused 2 fatalities.