King Fire: Rain Helps, But Battle Against Wildfire Is Far From Over

EL DORADO COUNTY (CBS13) - Despite hours of rain and high humidity, Cal Fire said the King Fire flames are not out.

Firefighters never stopped, because their commanders said it'll take more than water to stop the massive fire burning more than 90,000 acres of forest.

"We just don't dump water on something," said Cal Fire battalion chief Scott McLean. "We meticulously go in there, stir it up, feel it, make sure it's cool, and go on to the next hot spot."

The rain helped in some areas.

"As far as the west side, this is starting to get buttoned up very well," said McLean of a zone near Mosquito and Pollock Pines, where firefighters created a back burn area the day before the rain. "A lot of hard work has been going into this area."

The rain helped bring down the flames, but getting down and up the terrain creates a new challenge for crews. The bulldozed fire lines turned over fresh clay, which becomes very slick.

"It makes it very hard and difficult for vehicles, dozers, as well as those walking along the hand lines up and down the canyon wall," said McLean.

The sun returned Thursday afternoon and as soon as the grass dries, Cal Fire said the original battle with flames is expected to continue.

"We have a lot of areas where the heat will stay in those roots," said McLean. "That's going to draw those smokes out and start little parts of fire. We need to get all those out so there's no chance embers are blown across fire lines into some areas in the green we don't have resources at."

McLean said he expects fire crews to be on the King Fire for several more weeks.