Rising temperatures and falling humidity are making the difficult work of firefighters that much more challenging as several major wildfires burn across the state.
The 1,500-acre Saddle Fire in Trinity County northwest of Hyampom remains 95 percent contained, with full containment expected by noon tomorrow.
The 25-acre Sanhedrin Fire in the Mendocino National Forest east of the Sanhedrin Wilderness Area was declared fully contained this morning.
South of Lake Tahoe, the 16,500-acre Washington Fire is still threatening the gold rush town of Markleeville. The fire, which is zero percent contained, was first detected Friday. It has severed Highways 4 and 89 near Monitor Pass, closed campgrounds and trails. Markleeville residents are standing by for an evacuation order.
South of Lake Tahoe, the 500-acre Sky Fire east of Mariposa is now 90 percent contained. The Red and Corrine Fires in Madera County are both 90 percent contained after scorching a combined 1,000 acres. The 1800-acre Park Hill Fire in San Luis Obispo County is 90 percent contained.
Further south, the six-day old Lake Fire east of San Bernardino has forced the closure of Highway 38, despite the effort of nearly 2,000 firefighters. It has torched just over 17,000 acres and is 30 percent contained.
Significantly warmer temperatures and drier conditions through the rest of the week, along with the chance of electrical storms and dry lightning could present major challenges.
