Rocky Fire Blamed On Spark From Water Heater: Cal Fire

Cal Fire officials on Wednesday revealed that a failed gas water heater sparked the nearly 70,000-acre Rocky Fire in Lake County.

According to a statement, the heater was located in an outbuilding where flammable liquids were also stored. The malfunction caused a fire, which quickly spread to nearby vegetation and the surrounding area.

Cal Fire officials, having learning what started the fire, plan to continue looking into the circumstances leading up to the conflagration.

The statement also said that two fires blended into one massive wildfire, which flared up at 3:29 p.m. July 29 off Morgan Valley Road to the west of Lower Lake. The cause of the second fire remains under investigation, officials said.

Over 16 days, the Rocky Fire gutted 43 homes and 53 outbuildings. By the time it was put out Aug. 14, the blaze had threatened 7,500 homes, forcing 13,000 residents to be evacuated, the statement said.

Cal Fire officials said that the Jerusalem Fire, located in the eponymous valley, began Aug. 9. However, despite the close proximity of both fires, officials believe they are unrelated.

The cause of the Jerusalem Fire is also under investigation, officials said.

Fire officials urged California's residents to be mindful of the severe drought and take necessary precautions to avoid setting a fire.

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