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; -122.4762475Coordinates: 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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