[RC] update: Lockheed fire grew by 1800 acres overnight - Eric Drew
Lockheed Fire update: Fire at 6,800 acres, 30
percent contained;
Aug 15: Firefighters pick small battles, win
small containment of Lockheed FireFarmers carry on through flamesBonny Doon
holdouts brave fire danger to defend homesFire, law enforcement officials update
evacuees on Lockheed FireThousands of rare fish survive fireCounty Fairgrounds
become home base for Lockheed relief effortupdated 8:50 a.m. This story will be
updated throughout the day with new information. BONNY DOON -- As of this
morning the Lockheed Fire has burned 6,800 acres and is 30 percent contained.
The winds have died down this morning and crews continue to make progress, Cal
Fire reported Saturday morning. Weather remains a concern. Swirling winds,
dropping humidity and higher temperatures expected over the weekend could a
witches brew when mixed with the roaring flames that had consumed 6,800 acres in
two days.
"It's definitely not going to help the fire
effort," said Larry Smith, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in
Monterey. "Drier and windier is not going to be a good thing for the fire
crews."
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to arrive at
the fire command post a the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville at 10
a.m. today to get an assessment of the damage and learn about firefighting
efforts around the state.
Evacuations affecting as many as 2,400 people
remain in affect for Bonny Doon and Swanton. Cal Fire is reporting that only two
outbuildings have been damaged by the blaze, which is the largest in the county
in at least 20 years.
There are more than 1,500 firefighters assigned to
the fire. Cal Fire estimates the blaze has cost $2.6 million to fight so far.
