State fire officials have full containment on a wildfire that blackened nearly 2,700 acres near Valley Springs, destroying 18 homes and causing two minor injuries.
Firefighters managed to put a line around the Pattison Complex Fire by 8 p.m. Sunday, but officials on yesterday said it could be Friday before the fire is completely extinguished.
The fire was sparked Friday afternoon when a motorhome erupted in flames along Burson Road. Fanned by high winds, the fire roared into Valley Springs and forced about 3,000 people to evacuate their homes.
The fire destroyed 16 occupied homes, and two homes under construction. The Calaveras County Water District, lost a water-storage tank in the fire, prompting the Calaveras County supervisors Sunday to adopt a resolution declaring a state of emergency.
This post was last modified on 01/31/2009 4:42 pm