Rumsey Fire burns 450 acres in Yolo County

A brush fire in Rumsey Canyon burned 450 acres Monday as crews continued to work toward containment in the hard-to-access area, Cal Fire said.

Initial reports were of smoke in Rumsey Canyon, near Sand Creek Road, close to the Yolo and Colusa county border, Cal Fire said. They then dispatched four engines, two crews, dozers, air tankers and a helicopter, alongside an air tactical aircraft, around 3:40 p.m. 

At the time, the fire had burned 5 acres and had a moderate rate of spread. Cal Fire said it had the potential to burn around 100 acres, and by 4:45 p.m., it had burned 75 acres. Around 8:15 p.m., Cal Fire LNU said it had burned 450 acres, and that crews had reached 10% containment.

Overnight, Cal Fire said it will have 10 engines, four dozers, two hand crews and five water tenders. Two night-vision capable helicopters would also be helping until midnight.

The resources initially sent to the area had to be adjusted as Cal Fire said the area it was burning in was hard to access.  Air resources made water and retardant drops while ground crews continued to try to reach the area. At 5 p.m., Cal Fire said ground crews were able to access the area and had begun direct suppression efforts.

Cal Fire said air resources were still heavily involved in the fire attack and making heavy retardant drops to set lines at the head of the fire and to its right flank. Meanwhile, helicopters were focusing on the left flank of the fire and making water drops.

"The fire has made runs to the northeast, east and southeast. The spot across Sand Creek Road is approximately 75 acres," Cal Fire said.