CA Fires 2021: Crews Find Brief Reprieve As Temperatures Cool

CALIFORNIA — First responders all over California were making significant progress over 10 major wildfires as temperatures cooled in the state. But firefighters were still on high alert amid dry brush and drought conditions.

On Tuesday, 27 new wildfires ignited — all of which were contained, Cal Fire reported. Meanwhile, firefighters were inching closer to completely containing massive fires that devastated several communities this fire season.

The massive Dixie Fire, which ascended to the second largest and 14th most destructive wildfire in state history, was 94 percent contained on Wednesday.

But crews lost some control over the KNP Complex fire this week, which charred 81,473 acres in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. Fire crews had gained 20 percent containment over that fire on Monday, but containment fell to 11 percent by Wednesday as the fire grew.

Meanwhile, in Shasta County, the Fawn Fire was 100 percent this week. Also, the devastating French fire — which scorched 26,535 acres in Kern County — was 99 percent contained. The Caldor Fire, which became the 15th largest and 16th most destrcutive wildfire in state history, was 93 percent contained. That fire burned 221,775 acres in El Dorado, Amador and Alpine Counties.

As firefighters continued to make progress on some of the largest fires burning, elevated fire weather was expected to return to Northern California early next week with gusty north to east winds and dry conditions in tow. Light and scattered rain was also anticipated in the north through Friday evening.

In Southern California, scattered showers were expected to move across the region Thursday through Friday evening. During the same time period, winds were expected to pick up, with 20 to 50 mph gusts expected to sweep across the mountain ridges and desert passes.

READ MORE: CA Wildfires: How To Check If Your Home Was Damaged

Alexandra Souverneva, 30, was accused of inciting the Fawn fire — which was fully contained this week — and was charged late last month with felony arson of forest land with an enhancement because of a declared state of emergency in California, Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett said. Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in early August.

Souverneva pleaded not guilty. She remains in custody at the Shasta County Jail; bail was set at $175,000.

The Palo Alto woman told authorities that she was attempting to boil water she found in a puddle while hiking her way to Canada, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Shasta County district attorney's office. She believed the water contained bear urine and tried to filter the water through a teabag. When that didn't work, she attempted to make a fire to boil the water, according to the complaint.

Cal Fire accused her of "acting irrationally" and trespassing in the area where the fire broke out near Fawndale Road north of Mountain Gate Wednesday afternoon. She walked out of the brush near the fire line around 8 p.m. and approached firefighters who were battling the blaze, told them she was dehydrated and that she needed medical treatment, Cal Fire said.

Last week, California's top utility regulator announced that she will resign as president of the California Public Utilities Commission at the end of the year, according to an email she sent to staffers just as devastating wildfires ramped up the potential for power blackouts.

“I write to inform you, after much thinking and reflection, that I have decided to conclude my service as President of the CPUC at the end of this year,” Marybel Batjer, 65, wrote in a resignation email to staffers.

During her time on the commission, she oversaw Pacific Gas & Electric Co. as it weathered bankruptcy proceedings and faced criminal charges related to wildfires that wrought destruction and killed residents in multiple counties over the last decade.

"This was a difficult decision, as I am so proud of the work we have done together in the face of a changing climate and global pandemic," she said.

As the state sinks further into another possibly record-breaking fire season, Newsom will need to find another leader to fill her shoes by the end of the year. His selection must be approved by the state Legislature.

READ MORE: Top CA Utility Official Who Oversees PG&E Resigns

Historic drought tied to climate change made wildfires harder to fight. It has killed millions of trees in California alone. Climate change has made the West much warmer and drier in the past 30 years and will continue to make weather more extreme and wildfires more frequent and destructive, scientists said.

Some 7,856 wildfires in California this year have damaged or destroyed more than 3,000 homes and other buildings and torched well over 2.48 million acres since the beginning of the year. In comparison to the same time last year, there were 8,278 wildfires, which burned more than 3.6 million acres.

"As Fall season begins, it is important to remember that some of the largest and most destructive wildfires occur during this time of year," Cal Fire officials said in a statement.

The agency urged residents of California to sign up for wildfire alerts here.

Here's an interactive map from Cal Fire of all fires burning in the state this Wednesday.

See Cal Fire's chart of all major fires burning across the Golden State on Wednesday.