Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

19 hours ago

Trump Vowed to Dismantle MS-13. His Deal With Bukele Threatens That Effort.

23 hours ago

Ukraine Voices Concern as US Halts Some Missile Shipments

23 hours ago

Poll: Most Americans Say National Divide, Political Violence Threaten Democracy

24 hours ago

Paramount Settles With Trump Over ‘60 Minutes’ Interview for $16 Million

24 hours ago

Republicans Tee up House Vote on Trump Bill, Outcome Uncertain

24 hours ago

What’s Next for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs After His Sex Trafficking Trial?

24 hours ago

Dalai Lama Says He Will Be Reincarnated, Trust Will Identify Successor

1 day ago
Rain Not Enough to Help Creek Fire Crews. Winds a Concern as Military Team Prepares to Arrive.
TLBBHMAP3-U010ALB5ANM-348f959abae2-512-300x300-1
By Jim Jakobs, Digital Producer
Published 5 years ago on
September 18, 2020

Share

A change in weather brought some light drizzle to the area of the Creek Fire, but Cal Fire says it wasn’t near enough to dampen the growth of the blaze.

Cal Fire information officer Chris Thompson tells GV Wire℠ they’re expecting 35-45 MPH gusts on the northern part of the fire today which is a concern. Thompson says the good news is they’ve been able to fly helicopters to attack the fire the last couple of days.

The fire started September 4 and has now consumed 248,256 acres, and firefighters have it 20% contained. The Creek Fire is now the 10th largest wildfire in California history according to Cal Fire’s daily wildfire report.

804 residential, commercial and other structures have been destroyed.

Crews should get a morale boost with the anticipated arrival of marines and sailors this weekend.

Weather Impact

“Right now, we’ve got some light drizzle throughout parts of the fire,” says Thompson. “It’s not affecting the actual fire behavior because it’s not a dampening to get into the undergrowth.”

With the expected winds on the north end of the fire, Thompson was happy to report his teams continued to build containment lines which kept the fire from jumping substantially in acreage over the last 24 hours.

With improving weather conditions, Thompson says they have 15 helicopters available to fly today and they should be able to access all areas of the fire. There are about 3,000 firefighters working to contain the fire.

Cloudy skies with light rain over Yosemite on Friday morning. (Courtesy/Yosemite Conservancy Webcam)

Military Arrival

The Marine unit, the 7th Engineer Support Battalion from Camp Pendleton, will assist with wildland fire response efforts on the Creek Fire in the Sierra National Forest.

Marines and sailors from the unit will be fitted for personal protective equipment, including fire retardant clothing, boots, gloves and hard hats, and are scheduled to arrive Saturday to receive hands-on training in fire suppression.

Thompson says, “The Marine Corps is bringing around 200 people. They’ll split into two crews and do some training to get up to speed with what’s been happening over the last week or so.” He says the arrival of the team will definitely add to firefighter morale.

“The 1st Marine Logistics Group is ready to assist our community during the California wildfire crisis,” said Brig. Gen. Bobbi Shea in a press release. “Alongside federal agencies, and state and local partners, 1st MLG will provide highly capable Marines and Sailors to assist in wildland fire suppression efforts.”

Drone Helps Hotshot Crew

The clearing weather allowed crews to bring a drone to help the Arrowhead Hotshot crew in an area just south of Shaver Lake on Thursday.

“The situation with the drone gives us the ability to have aerial recon of a certain area,” said Thompson. “If there’s something specific to a smaller section of a fire want to look at, we can put a drone in the air and get an aerial view.”

Thompson says the drone was used to see some of the more difficult terrain to access on foot. “It’s something fairly new we’ve been utilizing on fires,” he adds.

More Madera County Residents Allowed to Return Home

The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is allowing more residents to return home as evacuation orders have been reduced to warnings.

Residents of these areas can now return: Cascadel Road between Peckinpah Acres Drive and end of the subdivision, including all spur roads such as Cascadel Heights Drive, GR Trestle Court, Loma Linda Drive, Loma Linda Lane, Vista Drive West, Hillside Road, Cascadel Drive, Cascadel Lane, Cascadel Drive North, Cascadel Drive South, and Waterfall Way.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

DON'T MISS

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to 8,300 Acres, Prompts Evacuations

DON'T MISS

SLO Deputies Fatally Shoot Man in Los Osos Weeks After US Marshal Impersonation Arrest

DON'T MISS

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

DON'T MISS

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

DON'T MISS

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

DON'T MISS

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

DON'T MISS

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

DON'T MISS

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

UP NEXT

SLO Deputies Fatally Shoot Man in Los Osos Weeks After US Marshal Impersonation Arrest

UP NEXT

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

UP NEXT

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

UP NEXT

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

UP NEXT

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

UP NEXT

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

UP NEXT

Check Out Newest Downtown Mural. It’s a Spectacular Tribute to Fresno Artisans

UP NEXT

CHP Officer Dies in Line of Duty After Medical Emergency While on Patrol

UP NEXT

Downtown Housing Could Rise in Many California Cities, but Barriers Remain

UP NEXT

Valley Children’s Goes Into News Business to Highlight Stories at the Hospital

US Imposes New Sanctions Targeting Iran Oil Trade, Hezbollah, Treasury Dept Says

44 minutes ago

Keep Pets Safe on 4th of July: Fresno County Animal Shelter Offers Tips

46 minutes ago

US House Republicans Head Toward Final Vote on Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut Bill

52 minutes ago

US Supreme Court to Decide Legality of Transgender School Sports Bans

57 minutes ago

Supreme Court’s Conservatives Leaned Into US Culture Wars With Transgender Cases

59 minutes ago

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to 35,000 Acres, More Evacuations Ordered

1 hour ago

Nvidia Set to Become the World’s Most Valuable Company in History

1 hour ago

There Are Fresno Area Fireworks Shows Galore Through Sunday

1 hour ago

Poll: 41% in US ‘Extremely Proud’ to Be American, Near Historic Low

1 hour ago

House Republicans Say They Expect to Vote Tonight on Trump’s Tax-Cut Bill

16 hours ago

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

AAA projects a record 72.2 million people in the U.S. will travel 50 miles or more from home over the Independence Day holiday period from l...

15 seconds ago

15 seconds ago

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

U.S. and Chinese flags are seen in this illustration taken March 20, 2025. (Reuters File)
12 minutes ago

US Paves Way to Resume Ethane Exports to China Amid Trade Truce

A general view of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, U.S., June 1, 2024. (Reuters File)
18 minutes ago

US Supreme Court Won’t Consider Reviving Montana Abortion Parental Consent Law

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol as Republican lawmakers struggle to pass U.S. President Donald Trump?s sweeping spending and tax bill, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 27, 2025. (Reuters File)
44 minutes ago

US Imposes New Sanctions Targeting Iran Oil Trade, Hezbollah, Treasury Dept Says

46 minutes ago

Keep Pets Safe on 4th of July: Fresno County Animal Shelter Offers Tips

A view shows the dome of the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 3, 2025. (Reuters File)
53 minutes ago

US House Republicans Head Toward Final Vote on Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut Bill

A general view of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, U.S., June 1, 2024. (Reuters File)
57 minutes ago

US Supreme Court to Decide Legality of Transgender School Sports Bans

Demonstrators attend a Transgender Day of Visibility rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 31, 2025. (Reuters File)
59 minutes ago

Supreme Court’s Conservatives Leaned Into US Culture Wars With Transgender Cases

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend