Rough Fire evacuation orders lifted for all residents
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- In Central California fire crews say all evacuation orders for the Rough Fire have officially been lifted for residents in all areas. The wildfire is now 70% contained after burning for almost two months.
In the steep ridges of the Sierra National Forest, a firefighters perspective of the Rough Fire. In the video, you'll see the same ridge but with an infrared camera where sparks exploding off dead and dry trees are being closely watched. Crews hope it's one of the final firing operations as the threat of the blaze slowly diminishes.
"It's been 53 days. I regret the challenges that have been presented to us. Nothing about this fire starting on July 31st has been normal," said USFS forest supervisor Kevin Elliott.
At a community meeting Monday, firefighters spoke to local business owners and residents who've been rattled by the drought fueled fire. And for one couple, this fire might be the tipping point for a big decision.
"We're really reassessing how we live here whether we can continue to live here. We have a vacation rental business and since these trees started dying, it's really affected our situation," said Bachrun Lomele of Pinehurst.
As firefighters begin to mop up the devastation the Grant Grove area remains a concern. A recent rise in temperatures caused the fire to flare up near the Grant Tree, forcing crews to keep the area closed until Tuesday.
"Rather than let that area take care of itself we've engaged firefighters to go in there and basically be aggressive on it now put the fire out so that there's no risk to any members of the public," said fire information officer Sean Collins.
But despite the areas of concern most of the fire is surrounded by a thick containment line. And efforts to revitalize the ravaged forest are underway.
We have learned that another firefighter was burned on Sunday. Firefighters say he's going to be okay but was taken to the hospital, like the seven others who've been injured in this fire.
