Firefighters on Saturday were beginning to gain control over a fast-moving brush fire raging at the base of Sierra Nevada that burned roughly 11 square miles in Inyo and Mono counties, destroyed 40 structures and prompted mandatory evacuations of two entire communities.
The so-called “Round Fire” broke out shortly after 2 p.m. Friday near Highway 395 at the Sherwin Grade, according to Cal Fire.
It grew rapidly in size overnight, going from an estimated 500 acres at 9 p.m. Friday to 3,000 acres by 7 a.m. the next day.
By 10 a.m., the blaze had more than doubled in size, scorching about 7,000 acres, according to the latest Cal Fire estimates.
It was 50 percent contained by late Saturday afternoon.
“Significant” shifts in wind initially made containment a challenge for fire crews, as the windy conditions effectively grounded the use of aircraft to attack the flames.
However, the 200 plus firefighters battling the wildfire were aided overnight by rain that stopped the forward progress of the fire at 2 a.m., Cal Fire said.
One firefighter had to be treated for smoke inhalation, but no other injuries have been reported.
About 40 structures and outbuildings had been destroyed, according to Cal Fire.
The communities of Paradise and Swall Meadows have been placed under mandatory evacuation orders, and a center for displaced residents was opened at Crowley Lake Community Center.
Even as containment grew, fire officials warned that downed power lines and venting propane tanks would make it difficult for residents to reenter the area.
Firefighters have not given an estimate as to when they believed the Round Fire would be fully contained.
The cause of the wildfire was under investigation.
KTLA’s John A. Moreno contributed to this report.