Forbestown fire grows

A fire seven miles north of the Yuba County line nearly quadrupled in size Monday to 1,000 acres.

Weather could turn problematic today with stronger winds and a chance of dry lightning possible through Wednesday, said Cal Fire-Butte County Capt. Scott McLean.

Cal Fire was to assume management of the Craig Fire today at 7 a.m. to direct the additional firefighters that are battling a blaze.

"We're taking a proactive stance on it, being prepared in case something does happen," said McLean.

The fire is now roughly 1,000 acres, said McLean.

"Fire activity overnight and throughout the day was dramatic," McLean said. "It continues to burn actively. Spot fires are causing a lot of heartache."

The fire is located in the Feather Falls area of Butte County, roughly eight miles from Forbestown.

McLean said an initial goal to contain the fire by 8 p.m. this evening has been pushed back until 8 p.m. Tuesday night, if not later.

Cal Fire's Incident Management Team 5 was called out to the fire Monday afternoon, McLean said, to help organize response.

As of midday Monday, 700 Cal Fire personnel are fighting the fire with the aid of four helicopters, and Chico and Oroville fire departments.

McLean said the fire was 30 percent contained at 9:30 p.m. Monday.

One structure, a single-wide mobile, described by its owner William Beck Sunday evening as a storage cabin, was destroyed when the fire broke.

Beck said the fire started on his neighbor's property around 2 p.m. Sunday. It was reported as a 30-acre fire, but grew to 230 acres by 9 that night.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Staff writer John Dickey contributed to this report. Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Andrea Koskey at 749-4709 or akoskey@appealdemocrat.com.