Update 5:30 p.m. Aug. 3: Checking in from McLaughlin Natural reserve, Cathy Koehler said by email, "Things are holding steady ... less imminently threatening than a few days ago but still nearby strong activity that has everyone still on alert and nervous should the wind direction shift. No more of the reserve has burned so all OK on that. Still not letting researchers come up ... too much uncertainty with respect to that nearby activity, and county authorities still have the road blocked."
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By Dateline staff
The Rocky fire charred parts of UC Davis’ McLaughlin Natural Reserve near Clear Lake before exploding to 69,636 acres as of 8:30 a.m. Aug. 9.
The update pegged the fire's containment at 85 percent and estimated the fire would be fully contained on Aug. 13.
McLaughlin, about two hours northwest of the Davis campus, became the second UC Davis reserve to be caught up in the wildfires that are ravaging drought-plagued California this summer. The Rocky fire broke out July 29, one week after the Wragg fire swept through most of the 576-acre Stebbins Cold Canyon near Lake Berryessa west of Winters. Stebbins and its popular hiking trails are closed until further notice. See separate story.
Cathy Koehler, one of McLaughlin’s resident directors, estimated the Rocky fire burned “well over 1,000 acres” in the 6,940-acre reserve’s northwest sector. She said the flames struck a remote corner with limited research activity.
One researcher was on the reserve, working in another area, as the fire approached on its first day, according to Koehler, who said the researcher made his way off the reserve safely.
Koehler and her husband, Paul Aigner, who is also a resident director, stayed behind. They are assisting fire crews in making their way around the reserve, trying to steer them around sensitive sites. Fire damage is OK, Koehler said, bulldozer damage is not.
She said there had been no damage to university facilities. They include a field station with lodging.
Koehler is communicating with researchers about their planned visits to the reserve, and will reschedule if necessary. There are few public programs at McLaughlin this time of year.
Cal Fire incident information: Rocky fire
Cal Fire incident information: Wragg fire
Media Resources
Dave Jones, Dateline, 530-752-6556, dljones@ucdavis.edu