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California wildfires destroy forests and threaten homes California wildfires destroy forests and threaten homes
(35 minutes later)
Wildfires blazing across western US states have destroyed forests and threatened residents, particularly in northern California where dozens of blazes are raging and homes have been evacuated.Wildfires blazing across western US states have destroyed forests and threatened residents, particularly in northern California where dozens of blazes are raging and homes have been evacuated.
The biggest California wildfire – raging in the Lower Lake area north of San Francisco – spread throughout Sunday to cover even more drought-stricken ground. The fast-moving blaze had charred 84 square miles by Sunday night, an area almost twice as big as San Francisco.The biggest California wildfire – raging in the Lower Lake area north of San Francisco – spread throughout Sunday to cover even more drought-stricken ground. The fast-moving blaze had charred 84 square miles by Sunday night, an area almost twice as big as San Francisco.
The fire has destroyed 24 homes and 26 outbuildings and was threatening a further 6,300 homes. However, no homes were lost on Sunday, state fire spokesman Jay Smith said.The fire has destroyed 24 homes and 26 outbuildings and was threatening a further 6,300 homes. However, no homes were lost on Sunday, state fire spokesman Jay Smith said.
Wildfires are also burning in Washington and Oregon.Wildfires are also burning in Washington and Oregon.
Many of the California blazes were caused by lightning and exacerbated by tinder-dry trees and grass and erratic winds. The danger was expected to continue with scattered thunderstorms and gusty winds forecast for some areas of northern California into Monday, state fire spokesman Daniel Berlant said.Many of the California blazes were caused by lightning and exacerbated by tinder-dry trees and grass and erratic winds. The danger was expected to continue with scattered thunderstorms and gusty winds forecast for some areas of northern California into Monday, state fire spokesman Daniel Berlant said.
More than 9,000 firefighters have been working to quell the flames. One firefighter was killed late last week at the scene of a fire at the Modoc national forest, 100 miles south of the Oregon border.More than 9,000 firefighters have been working to quell the flames. One firefighter was killed late last week at the scene of a fire at the Modoc national forest, 100 miles south of the Oregon border.
Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency for California and activated the state’s national guard to help with disaster recovery.Governor Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency for California and activated the state’s national guard to help with disaster recovery.
California on Sunday secured extra funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) to help fight the blaze burning in Lake County, said Mark Ghilarducci, the director of the California governor’s office of emergency services.California on Sunday secured extra funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) to help fight the blaze burning in Lake County, said Mark Ghilarducci, the director of the California governor’s office of emergency services.
The federal grant will assist local, state and tribal agencies responding to the fire to apply for 75% reimbursement of their eligible fire suppression costs, Ghilarducci said.The federal grant will assist local, state and tribal agencies responding to the fire to apply for 75% reimbursement of their eligible fire suppression costs, Ghilarducci said.
The wildfire north of San Francisco has been raging since Wednesday in an area of hills covered in dense brush and oak trees with only 5% contained. Cal Fire said an evacuation advisory has been issued affecting 12,000 people in a region of ranches and small rural communities. Several roads have been closed. The wildfire north of San Francisco has been raging since Wednesday in an area of hills covered in dense brush and oak trees with only 5% contained. Cal Fire said an evacuation advisory has been issued affecting 12,000 people in a region of ranches and small rural communities. Several roads have been closed.
Engine Capt David Ruhl, from South Dakota, was killed battling a fast-moving blaze that broke out on Thursday in the Modoc national forest about 100 miles south of Oregon.Engine Capt David Ruhl, from South Dakota, was killed battling a fast-moving blaze that broke out on Thursday in the Modoc national forest about 100 miles south of Oregon.
Ruhl was in a vehicle on Thursday looking for ways to fight the blaze when officials lost contact with him, fire information officer Ken Sandusky said. His body was recovered on Friday.Ruhl was in a vehicle on Thursday looking for ways to fight the blaze when officials lost contact with him, fire information officer Ken Sandusky said. His body was recovered on Friday.
An autopsy to determine the cause of death will be conducted this week, the US Forest Service said. Ruhl, part of a Black Hills National Forest firefighting team, had been helping California firefighters since June.An autopsy to determine the cause of death will be conducted this week, the US Forest Service said. Ruhl, part of a Black Hills National Forest firefighting team, had been helping California firefighters since June.
The fire had grown to about six square miles by Sunday and was 20% contained. Three firefighters who were burned on a fire north-east of Sacramento on Saturday have been released from hospital. One has returned to duty and all are expected to make a full recovery, fire officials said. A fourth firefighter remains hospitalised with serious burns.The fire had grown to about six square miles by Sunday and was 20% contained. Three firefighters who were burned on a fire north-east of Sacramento on Saturday have been released from hospital. One has returned to duty and all are expected to make a full recovery, fire officials said. A fourth firefighter remains hospitalised with serious burns.
The fire that began on 25 July destroyed two buildings and 54 homes and other buildings were still considered at risk in Placer and Nevada Counties. The three-square-mile blaze is 85% contained. In Humboldt County, 600 firefighters were battling 18 small blazes Sunday that were sparked by lightning. At least 70 fires have been reported in the area since Thursday. Of those, 52 have been contained, Cal Fire said. The fire that began on 25 July destroyed two buildings and 54 homes and other buildings were still considered at risk in Placer and Nevada Counties. The three-square-mile blaze is 85% contained. In Humboldt County, 600 firefighters were battling 18 small blazes on Sunday that were sparked by lightning. At least 70 fires have been reported in the area since Thursday. Of those, 52 have been contained, Cal Fire said.
The blazes have charred 2,000 acres and destroyed two structures in steep, difficult to access terrain.The blazes have charred 2,000 acres and destroyed two structures in steep, difficult to access terrain.