Wildfire covers 2,000 acres in Owens Valley

[ERIC]

Wildfire covers 2,000 acres in Owens Valley

Associated Press
(copied from SFGate.com)
Friday, February 6, 2009

A wildfire has spread over 2,000 acres in Owens Valley even as a Pacific storm has moved into coastal areas of the state.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Daniel Berlant said the fire erupted just before noon Thursday about 6 miles east of Fort Independence. The region is east of the southern Sierra Nevada.

Berlant said the fire has been fanned by strong southwest winds related to two different pressure systems associated with the incoming storm.

Even though it's winter, he said, California wildfires have been getting somewhat large because of the drought conditions that have withered the state for three years.

Five inmate hand crews of 15 to 17 people each were battling the fire along with a helicopter crew, two state fire engines, a U.S. Forest Service engine and some local government engines, Berlant said. More equipment was en route.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

[The Other Tom]

Dang ! Fire season seems to be starting early this year .

[Snow Nymph]

We could smell it as we drove by Thurs night.