A wildfire in central California that destroyed 47 structures and forced the closure of the famed Hearst Castle has chased more people from their homes.
Advertisement
The Spokane Complex Fire, composed of several blazes, progressed quickly on Sunday afternoon and continued to challenge firefighters who worked through the night.
But the extent of the losses and number of evacuees was unclear as firefighters prepared to work through the night and into Monday morning.
According to the Spokesman Review, multiple homes were damaged in the Beacon Hill blaze, and some residents used garden hoses in attempt to put out the fire.
JJ Anderson lives in Spangle, Washington, where a downed power line is getting blame for what’s being called the Yale Road fire…
Together, the three blazes scorched almost seven square miles (or 4480 acres) of terrain and sent plumes of smoke billowing high over the region.
By late afternoon, owners of homes in the sparsely populated fire area were being urged to evacuate immediately.
Fire spokeswoman Diley Greiser said early Monday that residents of at least 50 mostly rural homes near Lake Nacimiento were ordered to leave late Sunday.
The blaze chewed through nearly four square miles as it raced across the parched landscape, consuming wheat stubble, brush and trees – and a few homes.
The entire town of Wellpinit is under Level 3 evacuation.
Advertisement
An evacuation center was set up at the Lincoln County Fair Grounds with Red Cross personnel are present.
