LOS ANGELES — The Rices fire burning in Northern California continued to stymie fire crews on Thursday as it ballooned past 900 acres with only 12% containment.
At least five firefighters have been injured battling the blaze, which sparked Tuesday in rural Nevada County near the Yuba River. Officials said the injuries were primarily heat-related as temperatures near the fire soared into the 80s and 90s this week.
Crews are also contending with dangerously steep terrain and drought-dried brush that can easily act as fuel for flames, according to Mary Eldridge, a spokeswoman with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
