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Northern California wildfires destroy 100 homes as thousands flee Northern California wildfire destroys at least 100 homes as thousands flee
(35 minutes later)
A wildfire that raced through dry brush in northern California on Sunday heavily damaged the small town of Middletown, burning buildings in the downtown and reducing other parts of the town to ash. At least 100 homes were destroyed by a wildfire in Northern California’s Lake County that raced through dry brush and exploded in size within hours, officials said on Sunday. The devastation came after a separate wildfire to the south-east destroyed at least 81 homes.
Related: California wildfires threaten mountain towns as blaze intensifiesRelated: California wildfires threaten mountain towns as blaze intensifies
The blaze in Lake County is one of two wildfires that sped through parched northern California, forcing thousands to flee, injuring four firefighters and prompting Governor Jerry Brown to declare states of emergency. California Department of Forest Protection spokesman Daniel Berlant said wind gusts that reached up to 30mph sent embers raining down on homes and made it hard for firefighters to stop the Lake County blaze from advancing. Four firefighters were injured on Saturday while battling the flames.
On Sunday, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokeswoman Daniel Berlant said more than 100 homes were destroyed by the Lake County fire. There was no official tally of the destruction yet because firefighters were focused on new evacuation orders and on residents’ safety, Berlant said.
Berlant said wind gusts that reached up to 30mph sent embers raining down on homes. He added that there was no official count yet because firefighters were focused on new evacuation orders and the safety of residents. “This has been a tragic reminder to us of the dangers this drought is posing,” he said.
Berlant said no deaths had been reported. People were ordered on Sunday to evacuate Clear Lake Riviera, a town with about 3,000 residents, and other areas near the blaze, Cal Fire said. Governor Jerry Brown earlier declared states of emergency in the affected areas, in order to free up resources.
Residents streamed from Middletown on Sunday morning and had to dodge smoldering telephone poles, downed power lines and fallen trees as they drove through billowing smoke. Residents streamed from Middletown on Sunday morning, dodging smouldering telephone poles, downed power lines and fallen trees as they drove through billowing smoke.
One, George Escalona, said parts of his town, including his home, had burned to the ground. In some areas of town “there is nothing but burned houses, burned cars”, Escalano said, adding that he had nothing left but the clothes he was wearing. One resident, George Escalona, said parts of his town, including his home, had burned to the ground. In some areas of town “there is nothing but burned houses, burned cars”, Escalano said, adding that he had nothing left but the clothes he was wearing.
The 60-square-mile fire in Lake County erupted on Saturday afternoon and rapidly chewed through brush and trees parched from several years of drought, the California department of forestry and fire protection said. Entire towns as well as residents along a 35-mile stretch of highway were evacuated.The 60-square-mile fire in Lake County erupted on Saturday afternoon and rapidly chewed through brush and trees parched from several years of drought, the California department of forestry and fire protection said. Entire towns as well as residents along a 35-mile stretch of highway were evacuated.
Governor Brown on Sunday declared a state of emergency to free up resources.
The four firefighters who were injured were all members of a helicopter crew. They were airlifted to a hospital burn unit, where they were being treated for second-degree burns and were listed in stable condition, department spokesman Daniel Berlant said.The four firefighters who were injured were all members of a helicopter crew. They were airlifted to a hospital burn unit, where they were being treated for second-degree burns and were listed in stable condition, department spokesman Daniel Berlant said.
Brown had already declared a state of emergency for a separate 101-square-mile wildfire about 70 miles southeast of Sacramento that has destroyed at least 81 homes and 51 outbuildings and turned the grassy, tree-studded Sierra Nevada foothills an eerie white.Brown had already declared a state of emergency for a separate 101-square-mile wildfire about 70 miles southeast of Sacramento that has destroyed at least 81 homes and 51 outbuildings and turned the grassy, tree-studded Sierra Nevada foothills an eerie white.
Fire officials had earlier counted 86 homes destroyed, but issued the new figure Sunday morning. Fire officials had earlier counted 86 homes destroyed, but issued the new figure on Sunday morning, by when crews had increased containment on the blaze to 20%. The fire, which broke out on Wednesday, was threatening about 6,400 more buildings.
Crews by Sunday morning had increased containment on that blaze to 20%. The fire, which broke out on Wednesday, was threatening about 6,400 more buildings.
“I lost my business – it’s all burned up, my shop, my house, 28 years of living,” said Joe Thomas, who lives near the community of Mountain Ranch. “I got to start all over. It’s depressing.”“I lost my business – it’s all burned up, my shop, my house, 28 years of living,” said Joe Thomas, who lives near the community of Mountain Ranch. “I got to start all over. It’s depressing.”
Thomas, who runs a tractor dealership and repair business, said he and his wife grabbed papers, his work computer, photos and their four dogs. But they left a goat, five ducks, six rabbits and more than 30 chickens behind.Thomas, who runs a tractor dealership and repair business, said he and his wife grabbed papers, his work computer, photos and their four dogs. But they left a goat, five ducks, six rabbits and more than 30 chickens behind.
“I turned the pens open and turned them lose. I just couldn’t gather them up,” he said. “All we want to do is go home. It’s miserable.”“I turned the pens open and turned them lose. I just couldn’t gather them up,” he said. “All we want to do is go home. It’s miserable.”
Meanwhile, new evacuation orders were issued Saturday for the largest wildfire in the state, which was threatening to sweep through an ancient grove of giant sequoia trees. The fire, sparked by lightning on 31 July, has charred 201 square miles, the US Forest Service said.Meanwhile, new evacuation orders were issued Saturday for the largest wildfire in the state, which was threatening to sweep through an ancient grove of giant sequoia trees. The fire, sparked by lightning on 31 July, has charred 201 square miles, the US Forest Service said.
Firefighters cleared brush around the Grant Grove and set prescribed burns to keep the flames from overrunning it. By Saturday, the backfiring and monitoring efforts appeared to have helped protect the treasured trees, the Fresno Bee reported.Firefighters cleared brush around the Grant Grove and set prescribed burns to keep the flames from overrunning it. By Saturday, the backfiring and monitoring efforts appeared to have helped protect the treasured trees, the Fresno Bee reported.
The grove is named for the towering, 268ft General Grant tree. There are dozens of sequoia groves in the Sierra Nevada, and some trees are 3,000 years old.The grove is named for the towering, 268ft General Grant tree. There are dozens of sequoia groves in the Sierra Nevada, and some trees are 3,000 years old.