As the Dixie Fire grows, so does the cost to fight it: $217 million and counting

The massive Dixie Fire, the second-largest wildfire in California history, has cost $217.6 million to fight so far — and with drought and extreme weather conditions fueling the blaze, the cost will likely increase, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

More than 6,100 firefighters — the largest number of personnel assigned to a fire incident in California by a factor of almost 10 — continued battling the blaze Friday as it grew to 537,776 acres, according to the Forest Service.

The fire was 31% contained, according to Cal Fire.

But dangerous drought and weather conditions continue testing firefighters’ abilities to get control of the inferno, said Brian Rhodes, a deputy director at the Forest Service.

Rhodes, who spoke during a media briefing Friday, discussed the harsh conditions throughout the state making it harder to control large fires — dried-out fuel and lack of moisture.

Read more: https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/As-the-Dixie-Fire-grows-so-to-the-costs-to-fight-16386045.php