The Latest on wildfires burning in the Western U.S. But crews fear gusty winds blowing off the Pacific Ocean could fan flames that forced evacuations earlier on tribal lands near Pyramid Lake north of Reno. No injuries have been reported, and no structures have been damaged.
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Containment of the fires was estimated at about 40 percent.
About 800 firefighters remained on the lines Tuesday evening as winds picked up to 15 miles per hour.
“Most fires, we get a little bit of moisture recovery and humidity at night, but, unfortunately, that has not been the case on this entire fire so far, so we haven’t had that slower fire growth”, Milloy said.
An abandoned, illegal campfire sparked the Soberanes fire that has scorched more than 67-square miles of Monterey County and killed one person, state fire officials announced Tuesday.
The wildfire killed Robert Reagan III, a bulldozer operator called in July 26 to help battle the fire.
Fire crews were monitoring high winds and building fire lines as they tackled a large blaze in south-central Washington.
About 20 structures remained threatened by the fire east of the town of Pendleton, the Oregon Department of Forestry said.
Firefighters made progress in their effort to contain several fires burning in western part of the state.
A level 3 evacuation was issued for residents near the junction of Road 10 and H Road Northeast. Another 215 homes were placed on alert due to concerns the fire could blow up Tuesday evening. In the time, officials estimate, it could burn up to 165,000 acres.
The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise said the C-130s will go into action on Wednesday and initially be based in Boise.
Winds are forecast later in the day.
About 400 local, state and federal firefighters are working the blaze.
They were aided by air tankers and helicopters.
Family members say a 64-year-old man died of a heart attack while trying to evacuate Sunday.
The fire started Sunday and has burned 5.7 square miles in Bitterroot National Forest.
Ravalli County Sheriff Chris Hoffman said he could not immediately provide details about the number of homes or buildings destroyed.
Meanwhile, the wildfire north of scenic Big Sur near the Central Coast held steady at 62.5 square miles.
The so-called Roaring Lion fire, which erupted [in the afternoon] on July 31, has grown to 2,000 acres and some 200 homes were threatened, NBC reported.
It was 25 percent contained by Sunday evening.
Firefighters got help from a low marine layer Monday that brought a spike in humidity and dropped temperatures into the 60s and 70s.
The blaze that broke out July 22 has destroyed 57 homes and is threatening 2,000 additional structures. The Big Sur Blaze is not expected to be under control until the end of August.
More than 1,400 firefighters were battling a blaze in rugged terrain in southwest Idaho that grew to 66 square miles and has destroyed a popular, state-operated backcountry yurt.
But it’s been good news for the Sand fire, in Santa Clarita just north of Los Angeles. It’s not expected to be fully contained until mid-September.
The wildfire was burning about 12 miles north of Sunnyside.
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The $60,000 yurt that burned is a round, tent-like structure with a dome roof and plastic skin. They are canceling bookings after officials warned that crews will likely be battling the flames for another month.
