Firefighter killed battling blaze in California forest

David Ruhl of Rapid City, South Dakota, lost his life fighting the Frog Fire near Adin, California. On Friday, a U.S. Forest Service firefighter from the Black Hills in South Dakota was found dead after he went missing in the line of duty.

Ruhl, survived by a wife and two children, had been on temporary assignment in the area since June.

A separate fire near the small town of Isleton in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta burned six or seven mobile homes Thursday evening before firefighters got it under control, said Steve Cantelme, chief of the Sacramento office of Emergency Services. “Firefighter Ruhl will be remembered for his service and bravery and we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues with the U.S. Forest Service”.

However, firefighters hoped to catch a break as winds slow down to 5 to 10 miles per hour on Saturday morning, said Steve Kliest, an information officer working with state fire officials.

The fire in central California was caused by a boy who was burning pine needles with a lighter July 25, as reported by the Associated Press.

A red-flag warning, designating the threat of gusty winds that risk fanning flames, was expected to remain in effect until late Sunday in the area of the Frog Fire.

Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency after at least 18 wildfires ravaged the drought-stricken state, killing one firefighter and driving hundreds from their homes.

The California National Guard said Thursday that it is sending in a fleet of nine helicopters – Blackhawks, Chinooks and Lakotas – to back up Cal Fire crews.

Experts have predicted a long and volatile summer wildfire season in California in its fourth year of crippling drought.

The fires ranged in size.

The fire broke out southeast of Lava Camp and rapidly grew to consume 800 acres. “Unfortunately, lightning could ignite additional fires”, Doll said. However, the land damage has been substantial in some cases.

At least three smaller fires in the far north that started Wednesday each prompted evacuations.

The fire’s location in steep terrain is making work hard for firefighters.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Department issued a mandatory evacuation for Jerusalem Valley residents before 10am (local time), after the blaze moved north and jumped a road.

“We can see the smoke and it appears to be blowing near us but there are no evacuations here that I know of”.