By Julie R. Johnson – Corning Observer

A fast moving fire blazed through a maze of homes, barns, shops, and other structures yesterday in the area of Hwy 99W, Smith Avenue and Gyle Road, but thanks to the hard work of Tehama County and Cal Fire firefighters only one structure was lost.

Explosive northwinds drove the fire quickly pushing through an area dotted with numerous structures and burning approximately 20 acres.

The one structure that did burn was a barn on Smith Avenue belonging to Charles Ussery, who said the structure was housing materials being used to remodel one of his homes.

“The barn was full of doors, lumber, sinks, cabinets and a lot of other stuff I needed for the house,” said Ussery.”

As the barn burned the winds drove the fast moving blaze southward through dry pasture and a dry creek bed, threatening structures all across its path.

Firefighters performed a successful job of saving structure as nearly helpless property owners were out with landscape hoses trying to keep the flames at bay.

After the fire crossed the creek bed it continued onto Gyle Road where firefighters were able to use the roadway as a firebreak.

Cal Fire used a bulldozer to create a break along the west and east sides of the blaze and through the creek bed.

Their Gyle Road home, barn, shop animals, pasture and other outbuildings threatened, Barbara and Carissa Kellogg, worked fast and hard to move cattle and horses out of the creek bed and pastures to an area they hoped would be safe from the fire.

“I can’t believe how fast this fire is moving,” Barbara said.

The Kellogg’s neighbor’s home was completely surrounding by the blaze, but quick action by firefighters a sprinkler system helped to save the home from any damage.

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