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September 16. 2014 8:56AM UPDATE: Blaze in Weed 20 percent contained Updated 9:30 a.m. WEED, Calif. — A fire that has burned more than 100 structures and forced more than 1,500 area residents to flee is now 20 percent contained as fire officials and residents assess the damage and highway travelers look for optional routes. A news release from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says the Boles fire, located in the Boles Creek and Weed area has grown to 375 acres, a 50-acre increase over the past 12 hours. "It definitely has slowed down," CalFire public information technician Alyssa Smith said. "They are getting somewhat of a hold." Three people have been injured by the fire, although officials could not confirm whether they were firefighters or area residents. Highway 97 remains closed at Weed, the release says, but Interstate 5 is back open, per the California Department of Transportation website. Evacuation orders remain in effect for Weed, Carrick and Lake Shastina. An evacuation center has been set up at the Siskiyou County Fairgrounds in Yreka. The fire roared to life Monday afternoon, gaining vicious momentum and sprinting through town as it torched numerous homes and buildings, including at least one church and Roseburg Forest Products mill buildings. Its cause remains under investigation. The blaze has drawn 1,068 personnel to the front lines, with assistance from 108 fire engines, seven helicopters, 28 dozers and nine water tenders. A fire weather watch will be in effect for much of the affected area from noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, the National Weather Service reported. The coverage area includes Siskiyou County from the Cascades east and south to Mount Shasta and Modoc County, except for Surprise Valley. Strong winds of up to 25 mph with 40 mph gusts and dry terrain prompted the warning. — Ryan Pfeil http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20140916/NEWS/140919757 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->