PLACERVILLE, Calif. — A massive blaze in California that threatens thousands of homes has become the second-most expensive blaze to fight in the state this year, officials said Wednesday.
The King Fire east of Sacramento has cost more than $53 million since it began nearly two weeks ago, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Daniel Berlant said.
That figure ranks behind the $86 million that has been spent to tame a still-burning fire in Klamath National Forest along the California-Oregon border.
The good news, especiall for Carson City was that the air quality improved Wednesday. The National Weather Service in Reno forecasted unhealthy area for the region Thursday, based on wind information.
However, those figures are nowhere near the more than $127 million spent to stop the Rim Fire last year in Yosemite National Park, Berlant said.
More than 7,600 firefighters are currently battling the King Fire that has burned 145 square miles and stretched into Nevada. Flames have destroyed 12 homes, and another 21,000 structures — half of them homes — were threatened.
The fire is nearly 40 percent contained.
“It takes a lot of resources to fight a fire of this magnitude,” Berlant said. “Protecting those people and their property is a huge priority for us. So, until we get a good amount of containment, we will have enough crews assigned until we can stop this blaze.”
Last week, Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency involving the fire, a move that freed up funds and federal grants.
Firefighters from as far as away as Alaska and Florida have worked alongside California counterparts to establish and strengthen containment lines. Most crews from out of state stay up to two weeks, while crews from across California stay as long as three weeks.
“This continues to be the highest priority fire in the nation and that necessitated the need for reinforcement,” state Battalion Chief Scott McLean said. “It is not stretching us thin. We have a lot of resources to draw from throughout the state and across the country if needed.”
The King Fire is one of nearly 5,000 wildfires in California this year, a 26 percent increase compared to an average year of about 3,900, Berlant said.
One firefighter was injured Wednesday and transported by helicopter to a hospital, Berlant said.
Wind gusts up to 40 mph and low humidity were expected in the fire zone Wednesday that could last well into Thursday, despite a chance of rain and cooler temperatures, said Eric Kurth, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Similar winds doubled the size of the fire a week ago. About 2,700 people remain under evacuation orders.