King Fire

The King Fire, so named because it started off of King of the Mountain Road in Pollock Pines, was a wildfire that scorched over 97,000 acres of land in El Dorado County, California, in mid-September to mid-October 2014. The fire was ignited on September 13, 2014 near Pollock Pines, California, to the east of Sacramento.^[1] On September 16, it spread to 18 square miles and over five hundred homes were evacuated on that day.^[5] A handcrew of 10 inmates and a Fire Captain were saved from being overrun when they were led to safety by a helicopter.^[6][7] However, by September 18, the wildfire had expanded to 73,184 acres (29,617 ha), becoming the second largest wildfire of the 2014 California wildfire season, and it was only 5% contained, despite the deployment of thousands of firefighters.^[4][8] As a result, the mandatory evacuation order was expanded to 20,000 homes. On September 21, the King Fire expanded further to 82,018 acres (33,192 ha), while containment increased to 10%. Late on the same day, containment increased to 17%.^[4] On September 22, the King Fire expanded to 87,592 acres (35,447 ha), with containment increasing to 18%.^[1] On September 23, the wildfire expanded to 89,574 acres (36,249 ha), with containment increasing to 35%.^[1] During the next 2 weeks, the King Fire continued to expand to 97,099 acres (39,295 ha) by October 1, although the containment of the wildfire also increased to 94%.^[4] On October 5, the King Fire expanded further to 97,717 acres (39,545 ha), but containment also increased to 98%.^[1] On October 9, the perimeter of the King Fire was reported to be 100% contained, with no further increase in acreage.^[1] However, the King Fire continued burning deep inside the containment lines during the next several days.^[1] On October 10, the closure area was reduced, as additional progress was made on extinguishing the wildfire.^[1] During the next several days, the wildfire was dimished further, as the weather in the region entered a cooling trend. The King Fire injured a total of twelve people and caused the evacuation of nearly 3,000 people in the area.^[9] The King Fire has destroyed 12 singles residences and 68 other residential structures, but the amount of damage caused by the wildfire is currently unknown.

On September 18, 2014, Wayne Hunstman^[10] was arrested on suspicion of intentionally starting the fire.^[2] He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.^[11]

See also

• Climate change in California
• 2014 California wildfires
• 2013 California wildfires
• Rim Fire
• Meadow Fire
• Boles Fire

References