2 Eldorado Fires Defy Containment

KYBURZ, Calif. —  Two major blazes continued to burn in the Eldorado National Forest on Sunday, while steady rain helped put out a 2,000-acre fire ignited by a suspected arsonist in Yosemite National Park.

The Power Fire, which spread to 16,800 acres near California 88 between Bear River Reservoir and Salt Springs Reservoir, was about 50% contained Sunday.

Heavy rain has helped contain the fire, but it also prevented fire crews from working, said Donna Winkelman, spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The Fred’s Fire, which burned about 7,700 acres in the Kyburz area of the forest, was 95% contained by 3 p.m. Sunday, and full containment was expected by Sunday night. California 50, which links Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe, remained closed between Pollock Pines and Meyers.