This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/21/california-king-fire-expands-thunderstorms

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
California King Fire expands as authorities await thunderstorms California King Fire expands as authorities await thunderstorms
(about 4 hours later)
As an expanding wildfire in northern California kept nearly 3,000 people from their homes, teams sought on Sunday to find out how many structures had already been lost to the huge blaze, authorities said. An expanding wildfire in northern California kept nearly 3,000 people from their home on Sunday.
While officials confirmed that several structures have been damaged or destroyed in the King Fire, dangerous conditions have so far prevented them from determining an exact number or how many of them were homes, fire spokesman Mike McMillian said. Nearly three-dozen structures have been destroyed in the King Fire, which continues to spread more than a week after it started, officials said. According to preliminary figures, 10 residences and 22 outbuildings were lost in the White Meadows area of Pollock Pines, said Captain Tom Piranio, a state fire spokesman.
Assessment teams were headed back into the rugged, steep terrain to survey more damage, he said.
“It has been very challenging to get access to those burn areas because there’s a lot of inaccessible terrain,” Piranio said. “We had to make sure it was safe enough to enter.”
Smoky conditions from the fire also forced a last-minute cancellation of the popular Ironman Triathlon event in Lake Tahoe on Sunday morning. About 3,000 athletes from around the world were expected to participate, but couldn’t due to poor air quality as the fire spread to the Tahoe National Forest northwest of Lake Tahoe.
The fire, some 60 miles east of Sacramento, grew to more than 128 square miles on Saturday, and gathering thunderstorms could either help or harm the firefight with moisture or wind, authorities said.The fire, some 60 miles east of Sacramento, grew to more than 128 square miles on Saturday, and gathering thunderstorms could either help or harm the firefight with moisture or wind, authorities said.
The blaze began one week ago, and a man accused of starting the blaze is being held on $10m bail. It is just 10% contained. More than 5,000 firefighters from as far as Florida and Alaska are helping California crews battle the blaze that has not only consumed grass and brush, but swaths of extremely dry tall timber.The blaze began one week ago, and a man accused of starting the blaze is being held on $10m bail. It is just 10% contained. More than 5,000 firefighters from as far as Florida and Alaska are helping California crews battle the blaze that has not only consumed grass and brush, but swaths of extremely dry tall timber.
“That’s what makes it difficult for a direct attack,” McMillian said. “The main fuel that is burning is the tall timber. We’re making some progress, but it is slow going in some areas as we’re trying to construct more contingency and control lines.”“That’s what makes it difficult for a direct attack,” McMillian said. “The main fuel that is burning is the tall timber. We’re making some progress, but it is slow going in some areas as we’re trying to construct more contingency and control lines.”
About 100 evacuees have been allowed to return home, but some 2,700 remain under evacuation orders, Cal Fire said in a statement.About 100 evacuees have been allowed to return home, but some 2,700 remain under evacuation orders, Cal Fire said in a statement.
Also of concern are possible wind gusts of up to 30mph that could push the fire, which has spread from the north to the south, state fire spokeswoman Lynne Tolmachoff said. “That would open up a whole new area for it to burn in,” she said.Also of concern are possible wind gusts of up to 30mph that could push the fire, which has spread from the north to the south, state fire spokeswoman Lynne Tolmachoff said. “That would open up a whole new area for it to burn in,” she said.
The fire has spread to the Tahoe National Forest northwest of Lake Tahoe, McMillian said. Also, the fire is threatening a key University of California, Berkeley research station that his home to scores of experiments on trees, plants and other wildlife.The fire has spread to the Tahoe National Forest northwest of Lake Tahoe, McMillian said. Also, the fire is threatening a key University of California, Berkeley research station that his home to scores of experiments on trees, plants and other wildlife.
Wayne Allen Huntsman, 37, pleaded not guilty to an arson charge on Friday in El Dorado County Superior Court. Authorities have not said what evidence they have linking Huntsman to the fire, by far one of the largest of about a dozen fires burning statewide.Wayne Allen Huntsman, 37, pleaded not guilty to an arson charge on Friday in El Dorado County Superior Court. Authorities have not said what evidence they have linking Huntsman to the fire, by far one of the largest of about a dozen fires burning statewide.
Meanwhile, a wildfire in the town of Weed near the Oregon border was fully contained Saturday after burning 479 acres and destroying 143 homes. Another wildfire that destroyed 37 homes near Yosemite National Park was 93% contained.Meanwhile, a wildfire in the town of Weed near the Oregon border was fully contained Saturday after burning 479 acres and destroying 143 homes. Another wildfire that destroyed 37 homes near Yosemite National Park was 93% contained.