The White Sage Fire, located 15 miles southeast of Fredonia, has expanded to 58,559 acres which is a 6,637 acre increase, due to improved mapping. This accounts for previously undetected areas in the fire’s northern part according to officials. Containment has increased to 9 percent, with progress made on the south side from Highway 89A to Road 422A. Currently, more than 700 personnel are working on containing the lightning-caused fire that is burning in brush, timber and grass.
Crews are working to extend containment lines east of Highway 89A and along the northern edge of the fire’s western finger on July 17, 2025. The southeast corner of the fire, having received precipitation on July 16, is seeing limited activity. Firefighters are conducting burnout operations along the northeast, east and southeast perimeters, with mop-up operations on the south and southwest sides, officials said. Crews will directly attack the active fire edges on the northwest perimeter as well.
Support for firefighting efforts includes ground and aerial resources, and five helicopters are currently facilitating water bucket drops. Officials said a Heliwell, an 18,000 gallon portable water tank, is also being used alongside helicopter operations. Crews on the north and south flanks will transition to night operations to reduce fatigue and maintain progress. Highway 89A remains closed as crews perform chipping, hazard tree removal and road repair work. According to officials, showers and thunderstorms are expected through July 18, bringing gusty winds over 50 mph and dangerous lightning, increasing the risk of flash flooding.
