Forest Supervisor: King Fire in El Dorado County 100 percent contained
The King Fire that started Sept. 13 in El Dorado County east of Pollock Pines was fully contained as of Thursday, according to Cal Fire. The human-caused fire destroyed 12 homes, consumed 97,717 acres and sent dense smoke east through Lake Tahoe and into Carson City and Carson Valley.
After a grueling month for firefighters and local communities, U.S. Forest Service Supervisor Laurence Crabtree made the announcement.
“Thank you to our partners and the local community for their support during the King Fire,” said Crabtree. “This unprecedented event has tested our expertise and expanded our abilities to work with each other. We have seen the community come together to show their support in many touching ways.”
Even though the fire is 100 percent contained it is not out. People can expect to see smoke from the interior of the fire area until the area experiences significant rain or snow fall this winter, according to Cal Fire. A Burned Area Emergency Response Team is here assessing the post-fire threats to life, safety, property, and critical natural and cultural resources on the National Forest.
To learn more about the Three Phases of Wildfire Rehabilitation (suppression repair, emergency stabilization - burned area emergency response, and long-term recovery) visit the King Fire BAER Inciweb page here. The team will post news and updates as their assessments and efforts progress.
The hundreds of signs, letters, and cards to the firefighters show the supportive nature of the El Dorado County community, according to Crabtree in a Forest Service news release.
"At numerous community meetings, on Facebook, and in person at information points in the communities we heard your appreciation of the firefighters and concern for their safety. We are proud to serve you," the release states.
Meanwhile, Wayne Allen Huntsman, the accused King Fire arsonist, is sitting in the El Dorado Jail in South Lake Tahoe awaiting an Oct. 28 court date.
Huntsman was arrested Sept. 17 on felony charges of arson on forest land with a special allegation of arson with aggravating factors. He was arraigned Friday in Superior Court where he pled not guilty and transferred to the county jail in South Lake Tahoe. His bail remains at $10 million.
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