Firefighters make small dent in NorCal fires

Updated 8:18pm

The Butte and Valley fires burning in Northern California continue to grow, though firefighters are gradually gaining control. The cause of both fires remains under investigation. Evacuations are still in effect and thousands of structures remain threatened.

Smoke from the Butte Fire, which has been burning in Amador and Calaveras counties for nearly a week, will continue to impact the Lake Tahoe Basin and Truckee areas today, but not to the extent that it did over the weekend.

The Butte Fire:

• 71,523 acres
• 35 percent containment
• 135 residences and 79 outbuildings lost, 4 structures damaged
• Sept. 9 start date
• From CalFire: “Firefighters continue to fight the fire aggressively but critical fuel moisture levels, steep terrain, and limited fire access continue to provide challenges.”

The Valley Fire:

• 62,000 acres
• 10 percent contained
• 1 civilian fatality; 4 firefighters hurt
• 400 houses lost, plus several hundred other structures; 4,000 structures threatened
• Sept. 12 start date
• Fire started near Cobb in Lake County and has spread into Napa and Sonoma counties.
• From CalFire: “Firefighters from across California are aggressively fighting the Valley Fire that has continued to spread in hot, windy conditions. The fire continues to grow as firefighters work to construct fire lines, while protecting lives and property.”

— Lake Tahoe News staff report