May 21, 2008 1:21 pm US/Pacific
Wind-Whipped Fires Keeping Fire Fighters Busy
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
Fire fighters have their hands full up and down the Valley as several wind-whipped fires have erupted this afternoon including a blaze in Elk Grove that is forcing some people to evacuate their workplaces.
Cosumnes Fire Protection is battling a grass fire on Grant Line Road and Highway 99. Wind is pushing the fires and smoke toward several industrial businesses. Workers have evacuated several of the buildings and are fighting the fires with hoses but fire officials say they don't expect the flames to reach the buildings.
Further south on Highway 99 in Salida, fire fighters stomped out a small grass fire that was burning near Pelandale Road. The heavy winds blew smoke onto nearby surface streets and was affecting visibility.
Those windy conditions are also making it difficult for fire fighters battling a grass fire in fresno county.
About 100 fire fighters are dropping retardant, cutting lines, and running bulldozers to contain the 300 acre fire which is threatening more than a dozen homes.
Residents have not been given mandatory evacuation orders but officials say many have left on their own.
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