Forest Fire Keeps Residents Out of Homes

SUSANVILLE, Calif. —  About 250 homes remain vacant in a subdivision west of here as residents who were forced to flee a forest fire wait to return.

The blaze in Lassen County, 80 miles northwest of Reno, began Tuesday when a campfire got out of control and quickly grew to 1,500 acres.

It was burning in heavy timber but had moved away from the Lake Forest development Wednesday, according to U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Barbara Massey.

However, the mandatory evacuation remained in force.

“There’s still lots of active fire. Our concern is that afternoon winds could blow the fire across the fire lines,” Massey said.

An undetermined number of people who had left their homes spent the night in shelters or with friends and neighbors. Livestock were driven to pens a safe distance from the fire.

Massey said that, while the homes had been spared, officials were concerned that the fire was burning toward Roop Mountain’s heavy timber and the communication sites on the top of the mountain.

She said about 800 people were on the lines, aided by 85 engines, five air tankers, eight helicopters and four bulldozers.

One lane of California 44 west of Susanville reopened on Wednesday.