Firefighters increase containment of Elk Fire in Lake County

Firefighters made additional gains Friday on the Elk fire in Lake County, increasing containment to 40 percent and holding the blaze’s growth to 670 acres, the same figure reported Thursday.

The wildfire broke out Wednesday a few miles north of Upper Lake, but Cal Fire officials said its forward progress largely has been stopped by firefighters taking advantage of cooler temperatures and the strength of lines built around the blaze’s perimeter.

Still, a combination of a large amount of unburned fuel within the lines, gusty winds and warmer temperatures over the holiday weekend pose challenges in the days ahead, Cal Fire Capt. Emily Smith said.

Smith said she didn’t anticipate any reduction over the weekend in the 270 state, local and federal personnel battling the fire.

“We still have concerns,” she said.

The fire started along Elk Mountain Road and is burning on private property and in the Mendocino National Forest. Its cause remains under investigation.

Five wildfires in Lake County this season have destroyed 71 homes and burned almost 150 square miles of land.

You can reach Staff Writer Derek Moore at 521-5336 or derek.moore@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @deadlinederek.