Rocky Fire

Rocky Fire

The Rocky Fire as of July 30, 2015.
Location Clearlake, Lake County, California
Coordinates 38°53′11″N 122°28′34″W / 38.8863538°N 122.4762475°W / 38.8863538; -122.4762475
Statistics[1][2]
Date(s) July 29, 2015 (2015-07-29) – August 14, 2015 (2015-08-14)
Burned area 69,438 acres (281 km2)
Cause Hot Water Heater
Buildings
destroyed
  • 43 residences
  • 53 outbuildings
Map

Location of fire within California

The Rocky Fire was a wildfire that burned in Lake County, California during the 2015 California wildfire season.[1] The fire, which ignited July 29, burned 69,438 acres (281 km2) destroying 43 residences and 53 outbuildings before it was contained on August 14.[1]

On August 12 Cal Fire officials confirmed that the fire had merged with the Jerusalem Fire which was burning to the south.[3] Officials stated that with the northern edge of the Jerusalem Fire now touching the southern edge of areas already burned by the Rocky Fire the two incidents had merged.[4] They added that while the incidents would now both be operated under a unified command, they would retain their own names, acreage counts and containment dates.[4]

On August 19 investigators from Cal Fire determined that the fire had been caused by a faulty gas-powered water heater inside an outbuilding.[2] According to the National Fire Protection Association, water heaters start thousands of fires annually throughout the United States.[2]


References

  1. 1 2 3 "Rocky Fire". CAL FIRE. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 Anderson, Glenda (August 19, 2015). "Water heater blamed for massive Rocky Fire in Lake County". The Press Democrat. Retrieved September 12, 2015.
  3. "Jerusalem Fire and Rocky Fire have merged into one". KRON 4. August 12, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Cal Fire: Rocky and Jerusalem Fires have merged". KXTV. August 12, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
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