#MonticelloFire: 1 Injured in Bulldozer Rollover; 7,000 Acres & 30% Contained Sunday Evening

A Cal Fire bulldozer overturned while battling a 7,000-acre vegetation fire near Lake Berryessa in Solano and Yolo counties today sending one person to the hospital, Cal Fire officials said.

At about 1:20 p.m., a Cal Fire bulldozer was constructing fire control lines on the northern side on the fire in very rugged and steep terrain in Yolo County, Cal Fire officials said.

[Related: How To Help & Thank Your Hard-Working Firefighters!.]

During the operation, the bulldozer lost stability and rolled over. The operator of the bulldozer was rescued by a Cal Fire helicopter and, as a precaution, was flown to Kaiser Permanente's Vacaville Hospital Trauma Center for evaluation.

[Latest on #ButtsFire: Progress on #ButtsFire: 80% Contained Sunday A.M.; New Photos from Strike Team.]

The fire, which started Friday night near the Monticello Dam, and now referred to as the Monticello Fire, has spread quickly to 7,000 acres and is 30 percent contained this evening, fire officials said.

State Highway 128 is closed due to the fire between state Highway 121 and county Road 87, including Pleasants Valley Road.

Fire officials said the Golden Bear Estates is still under a mandatory evacuation, and 40 structures in the area are threatened. Mandatory evacuations are also in place for all homes and campgrounds located within the road closure area. An evacuation shelter has been set up at the Winters Community Center.

Cal Fire officials say the blaze is burning a remote, rugged and steep area that is difficult to access, leading to an increase in fire activity in the Oak woodland.

As of this evening, about 1,370 fire personnel are at the scene and focusing on building control lines around the Golden Bear Estates, according to Cal Fire officials.

Among the equipment being used to fight the blaze are 29 bulldozers, almost a 98 fire engines, six air tankers and six helicopters, according to Cal Fire.


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#MonticelloFire Balloons To 7,000 Acres with 30% Containment Sunday A.M.

#MonticelloFire Growing Still: 5,000 Acres & 30% Contained Saturday Evening.

UPDATE #MonticelloFire Growing: At 3,000 Acres & 15% Contained Near Dam & Hwy 128 on Saturday Afternoon.

--Bay City News