Improving weather aids fight against Sierra Nevada wildfire

1/7/2022 11:35

        Improving weather helped firefighters stop the spread of a Sierra Nevada wildfire that forced evacuation of several hundred people from their homes and injured seven firefighters, authorities said Thursday. The Rices Fire remained at 904 acres while containment increased to 20%, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. Firefighters were aided by cooler weather and an increase in humidity, Cal Fire said. Seven firefighters suffered dehydration and other heat-related injuries, authorities said. The wildfire began with a building fire Tuesday in Nevada County near the Yuba River. It burned that building and three nearby outbuildings, fire officials said. Evacuation orders had been issued for 250 homes in small nearby communities but some of those orders were lifted Thursday as firefighters made progress. The fire burned down to the Yuba River but did not cross over into neighboring Yuba County.