Fires threaten near Tollhouse, Lassen, Lake Almanor

SAN FRANCISCO -- The residents of 40 homes in a rural area northeast of Fresno remained out of their homes Sunday as fire crews battled a brushfire sparked by a discarded cigarette, while far to the north more firefighters arrived to help make a stand against a massive blaze in the Plumas National Forest.

The fire burning in an area of foothills near the community of Tollhouse, about 40 miles northeast of Fresno, was 30 percent contained after scorching 138 acres since it was reported a little after noon Saturday, said California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman John Dominguez.

The spread of the fire had been stopped Sunday, but evacuations remained in place over concerns blowing embers could spark new flames, Dominguez said.

"We anticipate only improving the line today," he said. "We don't anticipate the fire spreading, but there's always that chance."

The more than 500 firefighters that rushed to the scene were working in rocky terrain and in sizzling heat, with temperatures that were expected to break 100 degrees Sunday.

In far Northern California, additional firefighters arriving to help out and an increase in the humidity combined to slow the advance of a wildfire in the Plumas National Forest, but up to 600 homes were now considered threatened, fire officials said.

After consuming nearly 47 square miles, the forward movement of the Chips Fire was slowed late Saturday.

But parts of the fire moved toward Lake Almanor, a popular recreational area surrounded by small communities and campgrounds, prompting authorities to increase the number of homes considered threatened, said fire spokeswoman Alissa Tanner.

The residents of those homes were not ordered to evacuate, but the residents of about 55 homes ordered to leave in a previous evacuation remained out of their homes.

"We have to plan for the worst and hope for the best," Tanner said.

With the wildfire only 8 percent contained, officials did not expect to have full containment until Aug. 31. The cause of the fire remains under investigation About 50 miles to the northwest, a fire burning in Lassen Volcanic National Park has expanded to nearly 28 square miles.

The Reading Fire has forced the closure of Lassen Volcanic National Park Highway and several trails as it burns in an area of pine forests and thick brush.

Officials said the blaze was ignited July 23 and is one of a number of recent fires sparked by lightning.

Fire officials expect to have the blaze contained Aug. 21.