A Northern California blaze more than doubled in size overnight despite cooler temperatures and higher humidity.
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Authorities in Lake County issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents of the rural Jerusalem Valley.
More than 1,100 firefighters are battling the blaze that’s threatening 50 structures.
The fire, which broke out late Monday morning, briefly prompted some evacuations, said April Newman, a spokeswoman for the Riverside County Fire Department and CalFire in the county. In 1995, 16 percent of the budget went toward that cause; by 2025, Forest Service officials estimate, 67 percent of the agency’s budget will be devoted to wildfires.
The blaze was advancing through an area just miles from the perimeter of the 69,636-acre (28,180-hectare) Rocky Fire, California’s fiercest wildfire so far this season.
“Throughout the years, many out-of-state wildland firefighters have aided our efforts in Florida when our state has been overwhelmed by many large uncontrolled wildfires”, said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam.
The fast-moving Willow fire started on Saturday and, aided by strong winds, has roared through salt cedar, mesquite, willow, grass and brush, forcing the evacuation of six housing subdivisions and other residences.
BC Wildfire Service is also asking people to remain cautious and stay up to date on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories.
The U.S. Forest Service is battling a lightning fire in Sequoia National Forest, eight miles northeast of Camp Nelson.
In California, the firefighter who died fighting a blaze near Lake Tahoe on Saturday was identified as a 21-year-old Sacramento-area man. Forest Service Affiliate Chief Mary Wagner attended, saying Ruhl’s dying was “felt by each member of the Forest Service”. Two structures were destroyed and one damaged.
Inspectors do not yet know how the RV caught fire, but Carlson said it rolled about 40 feet down the edge of the highway and got stuck. A total of 545 firefighting personnel are working to put out the fire. More than 5.08 million acres – or 7,940 square miles – have burned this year.
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– In Alaska, the fire season has officially become the second biggest on record. Fire spokesman Sam Harrel says Alaska won’t beat the 6.6 million acres burned in 2004 because the state has entered its seasonal wet period.
