500 Crack Eskimo Firefighters Fly In to Aid Californians
With 292,000 acres of brush and timberland wildfires burning in California, the U.S. Forest Service today began flying in more than 500 crack Eskimo firefighters to reinforce the 10,000 men already battling flames on fire lines from Mendocino to San Luis Obispo.
The best news of the day, according to fire information officer Bob Swinford, is that the 75,000-acre San Luis Obispo fire was officially declared 100% contained at 6 a.m., 10 days after it started.
The worst news, he said, is that the Rat Creek fire has burned 16,500 acres, and is being driven south along the scenic Monterey County coast about 15 miles south of Big Sur. At least 10 structures, including two homes, have been destroyed.
The report from the Lexington Reservoir fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains was not much better, with 13,800 acres ablaze. Winds were erratic, with temperatures hovering at 100 degrees.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
