So What’s Causing All This Smoke In The Mother Lode?

Butte County, CA — The Butte Lightning Complex Fire is responsible for the heavy smoke that has inundated the Mother Lode over the past couple of days.

The Complex has consisted of 41 different fires of which 14 are still active. Approximately 49,000 acres have burned. Containment now stands at 45 percent.

Public Information Officer Fred Orsborn reports the Camp Fire pushed the blaze over the containment lines and into the community of Concow Tuesday destroying 40 residences. The fire is currently holding on the east side of the Feather River Canyon.

By late Wednesday approximately 10,000 residents had been forced to evacuate their homes. 50 residences and 10 outbuildings have been destroyed.

2,995 personnel are on site and that number includes 58 hand crews. In addition there are 334 engines, 58 water tenders and 53 dozers being untilized.

Responding agencies include CAL Fire, Butte County Fire, Chico Fire, Oroville Fire, Paradise Fire, C.H.P., Butte County Public Works, Butte County Sheriff, U.S. Forest Service, Office of Emergency Management, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Alameda County, Ventura County, Caltrans and the National Guard.

Written by Bill Johnson