Fire crews gain ground against Central California wildfire

This could cause the fire to burn to the south of Hume Lake in addition to the north and east, where it is now raging.

The most intense fire activity is in the area of the camps, and hotter, drier weather will speed the fire’s progress, Eidam said.

The John Muir Lodge, Grant Grove Cabins, and all campgrounds are temporarily closed in the Grant Grove area of Kings Canyon National Park.

More than 1,000 firefighters are tacking the Rough fire as flames run through trees, chaparral and tall grass in steep hillsides and isolated ridges, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Crews battling the wind-stoked blaze took advantage of cooler temperatures Thursday to clear brush and expand containment lines with bulldozers and hand tools.

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The blaze led to the evacuation of more than 2,500 campers, hikers, employees and residents this week.

Bill Carroll is with the group. More than 12,000 firefighters are working to put them all out. Fire engines had almost depleted the camp’s diesel supply. FM89’s Ezra David Romero reports that the Rough fire is only three percent contained.

This story will be updated. However, warm, dry conditions will keep the fire threat elevated across foothills and mountains.

“If God chooses to save Hume Lake Christian Camps, our facility, we will praise God”, Yakligian said. “Then again fire is part of nature”. CLOSURES: As the fire spread on Wednesday, the existing closure orders were expanded to include nearly the entire Hume Lake Ranger District. “We are defined by our mission”. Only the camp’s fire team, core utilities staff and over 400 firefighters remain to defend structures.

Fresno County Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti said authorities will hold a community meeting on the Rough fire at 3 p.m. Sunday at the PG&E Recreation Center at 70185 Courtright Road.

On the camp’s Facebook page the organization is asking the Christian community to mobilize and pray.

There’s also a pride in helping people in a time of natural disaster and they said they’re ready to get there and work as long as it takes.