Fire just east of Sacramento still burning.
An excerpt.
Voluntary evacuations lifted, but Sierra fire still formidable
- The Associated Press Published 11:24 am PDT Monday, September 11, 2006
Voluntary evacuations have been lifted for residents of several Sierra foothill communities that had been threatened by a wildfire burning for about a week.
The rugged and remote terrain near Foresthill, about 50 miles east of Sacramento, continues to make it difficult for more than 1,300 firefighters battling the Ralston fire.
The blaze had consumed about 5,500 acres by Monday and was just 15 percent contained, said Timothy Evans, a spokesman for the Tahoe National Forest. He said the fire was expected to increase in size as air and ground crews work to contain it.
Officials said about 290 homes in the communities of Baker Ranch, Michigan Bluff and Volcanoville were considered threatened but that voluntary evacuations were lifted over the weekend.
In addition to the terrain, officials also are concerned about a change in weather later this week.
Forecasters say a cold front expected to arrive in the area by Thursday will be accompanied by strong winds.
The fire has been burning since Sept. 5 in the Tahoe National Forest and has spread to the Eldorado National Forest.
