Containment on Sand fire in Yolo County grows to 50 percent

The Sand fire burning in Yolo County held steady at 2,220 acres, but firefighters increased containment lines from 20% Sunday to 50% by Monday evening, Cal Fire said.

As of 5 p.m. Monday, fire officials were lifting evacuation orders for the area of County Road 41, but officials said residents still were being advised to stay away.

The fire is the largest burning in the state now and the focus of state fire officials.

By Monday afternoon, the effort included a total of 1,116 firefighters equipped with 82 engines, 12 helicopters, 20 dozers and 14 water tenders working to extinguish the inferno, Cal Fire said. The workforce increased substantially since Monday morning when 740 people were fighting the blaze.

The fire has burned seven buildings, but no new structures were lost by Monday evening. The blaze started Saturday afternoon and winds helped it spread within hours to 1,700 acres Saturday night.

The fire is in the northwest area of Yolo County, in the Capay Valley near the town of Guinda. It has not crossed into adjacent Lake County.

Firefighters worked Monday in temperatures reaching over 100 degrees. Fire officials were able to accomplish stronger containment of the fire because winds weren’t a major factor, Cal Fire Capt. Will Powers said.

Staff Writer Andrew Beale contributed to this report. You can reach Staff Writer Randi Rossmann at randi.rossmann@pressdemocrat.com.