Vehicle tow chain sparked small California fire

In this Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018 photo provided by the National Park Service, people walk along the shore near Lake McDonald Lodge as the Howe Ridge Fire burns in Glacier National Park, Mont. A wildfire destroyed structures and forced evacuations Monday from the busiest area of Montana’s Glacier National Park, as officials in California prepared to reopen Yosemite National Park Tuesday following a nearly three-week closure at the height of the summer season. (National Park Service via AP)

LOS ANGELES — Authorities said one of the smaller wildfires in Northern California was sparked accidentally by a vehicle tow chain dragging on the ground and was not arson.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office said the driver had been towing a recently acquired trailer.

The office had opened an arson investigation into the wildfire near the community of Covelo, California, prompted by concerns from residents.

The fire destroyed a large amount of wooden fencing and threatened homes but no homes were lost. It is 100 percent contained.

Covelo is about 290 kilometers (180 miles north) of San Francisco.

Authorities also said a Utah firefighter who died battling the largest wildfire in recorded California history was hit by a falling tree.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection division chief Todd Derum told the Press Democrat of Santa Rosa that Matthew Burchett was battling flames when a tree fell on him and other firefighters.

Derum, who is the division chief for Sonoma, Lake and Napa counties, said three others were injured Monday.

He said Burchett and the Utah crew were working alongside California firefighters, who rushed to give him medical aid after he was injured.    /kga