Wildfire in Northeastern Calif. Contained, New Blaze on Southern Coast Investigated

While firefighters gained control of a wildfire in California’s rural northeast, investigators searched for the cause of a new blaze down south.

The 34-square-mile (88.3-square-kilometer) Gold Fire in northern Lassen County was 60% contained Monday night after a few thunderstorms during the day, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. The weather, however, was predicted to become less favorable.

Forecasters expected a transition today to a drier air mass before the area south of the small Modoc County community of Adin begins to be impacted by low humidity and gusty winds.

The fire has been burning since July 20 in an area of private homes, ranches and commercial operations.

Three areas remain under evacuation orders and evacuation warnings are in effect for a wider area.

In southern Lassen County, the nearly 15-square-mile (38.5-square-kilometer) Hog Fire west of Susanville was 64% contained.

Logging slash and heavy fuels continue to burn and smolder within the perimeter, and authorities said warm and breezy conditions could increase the risk of fire activity, but all evacuation orders have been lifted. The fire began on July 18

In the meantime, investigators are seeking the cause of a fire in Southern California’s Bolsa Chica wetlands.

The fire burned about 62 acres (25 hectares) on Sunday before it was contained, the Huntington Beach Fire Department said.

The fire was stopped about 100 yards (91 meters) from homes in the Brightwater neighborhood.

The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve covers about 1,300 acres (526 hectares) of coastal estuary and is habitat for numerous species.

To the north, Los Angeles County firefighters battled a brush fire that fully engulfed one home and threatened others near Gorman, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The fire burned on both sides of State Route 138. The cause was under investigation.