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New California Wildfire Kills One Person, Burns Several Homes

Both fires have also burned hundreds of barns, garages and other structures.

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The Lake County fire tore through 62 square miles in 12 hours, causing thousands of residents to flee after it ignited a week ago. It is 70 percent contained.

That makes it essential that the smoldering remains of the two giant blazes be dealt with as quickly and thoroughly as possible, said Scott Mclean, a battalion chief with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. “You’re not going to see any flames”.

The new count of 511 homes destroyed by one of the blazes – up from 252 a day earlier – comes as firefighters make significant progress against it.

Mandatory evacuations for the Butte fire, burning about 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of Sacramento, were lifted Sunday, as were evacuations for some areas affected by the Valley fire, north of Napa Valley’s wine country.

One of the ravaged houses belonged to a firefighter.

But there is help on the way for victims of the Butte Fire in Mountain Ranch, and in Jackson, where the Central Church of Christ has been taking in food, water and cleaning supplies to provide relief to those in need…. That blaze was 72 per cent contained Sunday.

The Red Cross representatives said it’s a waiting game until fire crews give them the information, all they can offer is food, shelter and emotional support for displaced people.

The name of the person killed in the fire was not released Sunday afternoon, and no other details were available.

Like many evacuees, Tharp headed to the Red Cross’ evacuation shelter at Carmel Middle School, but she’s not getting the answers she wants.

“A warming and drying trend is under way, and a light wind pattern will enhance the warm and dry conditions until Monday” in Northern California, CalFire said in a statement.

A firefighter lost his home while battling a wildfire in northern California, said Eric Walters, a spokesman for the Cachagua Fire Protection District. “It’s not an exact science”. Others, like Steve Leonardi of Middletown, found out when they saw their homes burning on the evening news. She and her husband were told that their whole town was gone. “I’m just feeling deep gratitude and thinking of everyone who risked their lives to save them”. “It’s not much”, Findley Jennings said.

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Shyong reported from Middletown, Christensen from Los Angeles.

Souther California wildfire