Bear Fire containment date pushed back

Over the last few days, Cal Fire said containment of the Bear Fire was expected on Tuesday but that date has been pushed back as the weather continues to cause challenges.

It’s been close to a week since Cal Fire crews started battling the Bear Fire. Enough progress was made to lift all evacuations in the area, allowing residents to return home but Cal Fire says there’s a lot of work left.

Though weekend rain may have helped some, Mother Nature isn’t helping anymore.

“The humidity dropped again which means the sun dried everything out,” said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Aldo Gonzalez, “We’re right back where we were before this fire started.”

Gonzalez says full containment is now expected on Thursday.

“Right now, we’re still concerned with perimeter control so that’s taking place and then probably for the next eight to ten days, we’ll have at least a pickup [truck] out there with a couple of guys in there walking around putting smokes out if they find anything,” Gonzalez said.

While Cal Fire says the Bear Fire has scared many residents, not all have learned a lesson.

[You have] the people on edge who realize the seriousness of the fire, the possibility of losing everything and there’s people who continue to be careless and they’re not being safe,” Gonzalez said, “That’s why we’re catching a few fire dispatches here and there.”

Though some in the community have caused more work for them, Cal Fire says signs and words of encouragement have been helpful throughout this fight.

“You look up and you read the sign and it kind of puts a smile on your face and drops your shoulders,” Gonzalez said, “It kind of eases you and makes you feel good inside.”

Cal Fire says the fight isn’t over yet, conditions are actually getting worse. It’s supposed to be drier with more wind in the overnight hours of Monday and Tuesday.