The Wragg fire near Lake Berryessa grew aggressively overnight, burning more than 6,000 acres and threatening 200 structures as hundreds of firefighters struggled to gain control of the blaze.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection officials said while the cause of the fire remains under investigation, a vehicle accident in the area — Highway 128 near Wragg Canyon Road — may have been what started the incident shortly before 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.
It remained only 5-percent contained as of this morning, with steep, rugged terrain and erratic winds challenging fire crews as they establish containment lines and battle the flames, Cal Fire officials said.
Among the 525 personnel assigned to the blaze is a grass rig from the Davis Fire Department and a UC Davis Fire Department captain serving as strike leader, Davis/UCD Fire Chief Nathan Trauernicht said. West Plainfield firefighters also have responded to the scene.
Highway 128 from Wragg Canyon Road to Pleasants Valley Road, north of Mix Canyon, remains closed to traffic.
Mandatory evacuations of the Quail Ridge and Golden Bear housing communities, as well as area campgrounds and Cold Canyon hiking trails, remain in effect. The American Red Cross has opened an evacuation center at the Winters Community Center, 201 Railroad Ave.
Large animals displaced from their owners’ properties are being sheltered at 29775 County Road 31, also in Winters.
Structure damage has been limited to one building, while an outbuilding and a tent trailer have been destroyed, according to a Cal Fire update released this morning. No injuries were reported.
The smoke made for an unusual view for Davis residents — a bright red sun shining through a blanket of dark-gray that settled atop a sliver of blue sky underneath.
— Reach Lauren Keene at lkeene@davisenterprise.net or 530-747-8048. Follow her on Twitter at @LaurenKeene
