Firefighters battling a raging wildfire near California’s celebrated wine region turned a corner by Friday as they managed to draw containment lines around half of the blaze ravaging drought-parched brush and dry timber.
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Fire spokeswoman Gina Bonaminio said more than 400 firefighters split into day and night crews are trying to contain the fire with the help of four helicopters and almost 20 fire engines, but the fire is only 10 percent contained. It has burned through 37 square miles or 23,500 acres.
The blaze is threatening 50 structures, but no homes have been destroyed. No homes have been destroyed so far and no injuries have been reported. Eight hundred people who had been ordered to evacuate were allowed to return to their homes, and approximately 600 people who live in the area just north of Highway 20 remained evacuated. Some in the region, about 160km north of San Francisco, had only recently returned after fleeing an earlier blaze. The fire was quickly extinguished, but another blaze that broke out nearby continues to burn and has crossed into Canada, said Okanogan County emergency manager Maurice Goodall. Also, officials said residents of 57 homes were under evacuation orders and dozens more were told to be ready to leave as two wildfires burned near Baker City.
The new fire in Lake and Napa counties had expanded across 32 square miles.
They are among 14 wildfires in California being fought by about 12,000 firefighters, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
“They’re absolutely scared and terrified”, she said. As of Friday evening, it had consumed 25,054 acres in Lake and Napa counties. “Right now, we’re telling them to expect the unexpected”.
Temperatures have been relatively mild, but the gusty winds and dry conditions have stoked the wildfires. The fire still remains active and firefighters are working aggressively to stop the forward progression and sustain perimeter control.
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In Southern California, a burning home in rural Riverside county caused a temporary evacuation.
