As of Tuesday, the so-called Hart Fire had been 10 percent contained while officials were hopeful that a pair of fires, dubbed the Spokane Complex, could be contained within their existing footprints.
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Monterey – Even though the two major wildfires plaguing Monterey County are now only about 50 miles apart, fire officials are not anxious they will merge, mostly because of the containment lines being built around the Soberanes conflagration.
Fire spokeswoman Sierra Hellstrom said Wednesday that wind and high temperatures Tuesday afternoon had pushed the fire to 1.4 square miles.
National landmark Hearst Castle remains closed due to the growing threat of the Chimney Fire which has burned to about two miles from the famous mansion built by the late newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst in central California.
Cal Fire says arson has been ruled out in the 10-day blaze that has charred 64 square miles of dry brush and timber.
The largest fire in Yellowstone National Park in northwest Wyoming grew to about 35 square miles amid windy, warm weather, but tourists could still visit the popular park during the busy summer season.
“People are commonly asking, ‘why is it still only 60 percent contained?’ ” Carroll said, illustrating his point with a map.
In southern Monterey County, the 11-day-old Chimney Fire has consumed nearly 44,000 acres and is 41 percent contained.
Minimal fire activity is also being reported from a fire burning west of Lakeside. Hundreds of homes remain threatened by the fire in rugged wilderness coast along Highway 1.
As of noon, Tuesday evacuation orders were lifted for Tri-County, Cal Shasta, Rancho Del Lago, and South Shore Village.
The fire jumped the Spokane River and threatened the small community of Wellpinit on the Spokane Indian Reservation.
It roared toward the town of Wellpinit, forcing the evacuation of the entire town on Sunday.
Some 20 homes and other buildings were threatened, and other residents were told that the evacuation area may spread. But that order has since been lifted, Sijohn said. Fire officials are projecting full containment of the blaze by September 3.
A firefighter lights grass on fire as firefighters perform a firing operation along Interlake Road while battling the Chimney Fire in Southern Monterey County on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016.
Cows graze at a ranch off Hesperia Road as the Chimney Fire burns toward the southwest near the border of southern Monterey County on Thursday August 25, 2016.
In Grand Teton, firefighters are having a tough time trying to douse a fire that has closed the road leading to Yellowstone’s South Entrance.
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Major tourist areas in both parks are open as the National Park Service holds events to celebrate its 100th anniversary this week.
